A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1500-1599, 1650-1651
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Javell, Javill, n.1 Also : jevell, jeffell, jefwell, gavell. [ME. (appar. chiefly north. and north midl.) javell, jauele (14th c.), e.m.E. javell (last recorded c 1650), of obscure derivation : (cf. Cavell n.2).] A term of abuse : A low fellow, a coarse fellow, a rough or ruffian. Also attrib.(a) 1543 Elgin Rec. I. 74.
[They] callit the said Master Thomas … javell prest, crukit carlis get, theif carle … and siklik vtheris iniurius wordis 15.. Christis Kirk 63 (B).
‘Lat be!’ quod Jok, and cawd him javill [M. gavell] And be the taill him tuggit; The kensy cleikit to the cavell [etc.] 15.. Sym & Bruder (Bann. MS. 146 a) 73.
To tak a justing of that javell, The bryd wount nocht to bruk him a1651 Calderwood I. 146.
‘Packe you javells, … and reforme your own lives’ a1651 Ib. V. 339.
Old Gatgirth, who said to the Queene Regent, ‘We vow to God, we sall have a day of it against these javells that stand beside you’(b) a1570-86 Dunb. Maitland Folio MS xii. 15.
Bot fowll jow jowrdane hedit jevellis, Cowkin kenseis and culroun kewellis 1558-66 Knox I. 82.
‘Pack you, jefwellis [v.r. jeffells], gett yow to your chargeis, and reforme your awin lyves’
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"Javell n.1". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 15 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/javell_n_1>
