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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.

TWISTLE, v., n. Also twis(s)le, twussle. [twɪsl, twʌsl]

I. v. 1. To twist, wring, screw (Rnf. 1788 E. Picken Poems Gl.).Sc. 1819 J. Rennie St Patrick II. x.:
I'll twussle your thrapple in a jiffy.

2. In spinning or weaving: to join two threads together without knotting (Ayr. 1973). Vbl.n. twistling.

II. n. 1. A twisting or turning, a screwing.Clc. 1882 J. Walker Poems 29:
Come gie your bows a ros'ning fissle, And screw the pegs wi' cheepin' twistle.

2. Rough treatment of any kind, a shaking, tossing, wrestling, pulling about.Ayr. 1784 Burns Twa Herds iii.:
The Lord's cause gat na sic a twissle, Since I hae min'.Ayr. 1805 A. Aitken Poems (1873) 114:
[To] mak' our warks a public show An' thole fell critic's twistles.Uls. 1844 R. Huddleston Poems 40:
The pole begoud, t'ugh was the twis'tle, Hive after hive, did inward bus'le.Ags. 1856 W. Grant Poet. Pieces 42:
If he but ance come through thy twissle He'll rue sic gamin'.m.Sc. 1884 C. Neill Poet. Musings 90:
Few wi' him wad try a twissle, Nane like him could sing or whissle.