Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SPRAWLACH, v., n. Also sprawloch, sprawlich, spralloch, sprallich, spralach. [′sprɑləx]

I. v. To sprawl, flail about with the limbs, flounder (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 179, sprallich; ne.Sc. 1971).Bnff. 1827 Aberdeen Star (20 July) 313:
I saw the beast horsie begin to spralach an' caper.Abd. 1831 Aberdeen Mag. 642:
There were we sprawlaching in the white jaws like deein' flukes wrigglin' on a greatline.Abd. 1943 Scots Mag. (Feb.) 360:
Yon silk things — a lot o' use they'd be and me sprawlochin' in ower the snow.

II. n. A sprawling, threshing, flailing movement with the limbs (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 179, Bnff. 1971).Bnff. 1847 A. Cumming Tales 79:
Not unlike the sprawlich of a disturbed seal.