Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Swelland, Swellinge, ppl. adj. Also: suelland, suelling, swolling. [ME and e.m.E. swellynge (Wyclif), -ing (1544); Swel(l v.]

1. Of seas or waves: Rising high, towering, turbulent.Common in Doug. 1513 Doug. i iii 82.
The swelland seys has swagit 1513 Doug. iii iii 19.
To schip we ws addres, Ourspannand mony swelland seys salt 1513 Doug. iii viii 113.
The swelland swyrl vphesyt ws til hevyn 1513 Doug. vi v 122.
For my self tuke I nane sa gret feir, As of thi schip … Spulȝeit of hir graith … Dreding scho suld haue perist … Owr the huge swelland fludis rays on breid 1549 Compl. 39/35.
The suelland vallis of the brym seye c1590 J. Stewart 97/627.
Vaeik crezit barge vpon the suelling sie c1590 Fowler I 373/113.
To dreame of floodes & swellinge seas And drowninge in the deipe 1585 James VI Ess. 87/70.
Ilk saile Of dyuers ships vpon the swolling wawes

2. fig. Of pride: Inflated, puffed up. 1580-92 James VI Lusus Reg. 54.
The man that lookis to hie through suelling pride