Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1976 (SND Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

WAVEL, v. Also waivel-, wavit-; Sh. forms wavl, waavle. [wevl; Sh. wɑvl]

1. To rock unsteadily, to move with a vacillating wobbly motion, to sway to and fro, stagger, reel, totter (Sc. 1808 Jam.; Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); Bnff. 1950; Sh. 1973).Sc. 1738 Caled. Mercury (18 April):
When he walketh his Legs wavel under him.Sc. 1841 Whistle-Binkie 84:
Some fearsome bogle wavelin' in the sin.Sh. 1886 J. Burgess Sketches 69:
He waavled an' staggered aboot da flure.Ags. 1894 F. Mackenzie Glenbruar 200:
There's Tammas wavelin' alang the road as cannily as though he were maister o' his ain mare.Per. 1940 W. Soutar Diaries (1954) 158:
Ye needna gang far to find the faut That maks me wobble and wavel.

2. To flutter, waver, to wag to and fro (Sh. 1908 Jak. (1928); Bnff. 1950; Sh. 1973).

3. Nonce usages in ppl.adjs. wavilet, waivelt, (1) of ribbons: crimped into waves (Sh. 1973); (2) embroidered with a wavy pattern; (3) twisted or contorted in growth.(1) Peb. 1838 W. Welsh Poems 34:
But dandie Kate was far frae neat, Wi' ribbands pluff'd an' waivelt.(2) Gsw. 1844 Songs for the Nursery 29:
His coat o' glowin' ruddy brown, and wavilet wi' gold.(3) Sh. 1886 J. Burgess Sketches 30:
He's sic a wavlit ill-vyndid lookin' objec'.