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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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About this entry:
First published 1952 (SND Vol. III). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

CROODLE, v.², n.²

1. v. Also found in Eng. dial. in senses (1) and (3) (E.D.D.).

(1) To coo (of a dove) (Bnff.², Abd.⁹, Ags.¹⁷ 1941; Per. 1915 Wilson L. Strathearn 241; Fif.¹⁰ 1941).Abd. 1926 L. Coutts Lyrics, etc. 11:
Cushies croodle in the fir.Fif. 1864 W. D. Latto T. Bodkin i.:
A shaggy wood, wherein the cushat croodled through the lang simmer days.Ayr. 1913 J. Service Memorables 54:
The cushie-doo croodles in the gloamin' o' the wood.

Hence croodler, a dove.Abd. 1868 W. Shelley Wayside Flowers 81:
Welcome back, thou bonnie croodler, Nebbin' at my window pane!

†(2) To purr, as a cat.Rnf. 1815 R. Tannahill Poems 10:
An while Deborah mools some crumbs, Auld baudrons sits, an croodlin thrumbs.

(3) To hum or sing quietly.n.Sc. 1916 M. MacLean Songs Roving Celt 12:
And the present fades before me as there rises on my sight The burns that croodle sweetly and the skies that shine so bright.Abd. 1931 D. Campbell Uncle Andie 31:
It's musick tae hear ye croodle sae couthielike.Ayr. 1844 J. Stirrat Poems 19: 
Croodling owre some favourite tune.

2. n. A cooing noise.Gsw. 1908 T. M'Ewan in Gsw. Ballad Club III. 2:
We'll listen to . . . The croodle o' the cushie, An' hummin' o' the bee.

3. Comb.: croodlin' doo, croodlen —, (1) a wood-pigeon (Bnff.², Abd.² 1941); (2) fig. as a term of endearment (Bnff.², Abd.⁹, Fif.¹⁰ 1941).(1) Ags. 1932 A. Gray Arrows 64:
Twa fond croodlin' doos were sittin' On the bare branch o' a tree.(2) Sc. 1826 R. Chambers Pop. Rhymes 295:
Where hae ye been a' the day My little wee Croodlen Doo?Edb. 1866 J. Smith Poems 133:
Oh sleep, my puir wee croodlin' doo.