Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
TROTTLE, n. Also troddle (wm., sm. and s.Sc. 1973). Dims. trottlick (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 200; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.), trodlick (ne.Sc.). Gen. in pl. and in dim. forms: small round pellets of excrement, esp. that of sheep (Gregor; Watson; ne.Sc., Ags., Slg., Lth., wm.Sc., Kcb., s.Sc. 1973). Obs. in Eng. exc. dial.Mry. c.1890 Gregor MSS.:
A cure for burning — Melt butter, dry sheep's “trodlicks”, pound them into a powder, mix the powder with the butter into a “saw” or ointment, and apply to the burned part.