Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1960 (SND Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

HAIVEL, n. Also havel; heevil, eve-eel; ha(i)veel, have-eel; haivel-eel, evil-eel; †he(a)we-eel. The conger-eel, Conger conger (ne.Sc. 1880–4 F. Day Brit. Fishes II. 251; Mry., Abd. 1916 T.S.D.C. III.). [he:vl]Fif. 1710 R. Sibbald Fif. & Knr. 51:
Conger; Our Fishers call it the Heawe Eel, 'tis usually some two Ells long, and of the grossness of the Calf of a Man's Leg.Ags. 1813 J. Headrick Agric. Ags. App. B. 41:
Muraena . . . conger; conger eel; seemed to be much better known some years ago than at present: the name seems familiar even to the common people; they call it Eve-eel.Ayr. 1845 Stat. Acc.² V. 90:
Besides these, the conger-eel, called by the fishermen have-eel, is found in great abundance.Bch. 1943 W. S. Forsyth Guff o' Waur 12:
And slimy havels swam and squirm'd and slid.