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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.

Swelling, Swalling, vbl. n. Also: suelling, sualling, swolling, sqwalling. [ME and e.m.E. swellynge (Piers Plowman), -inge (Wyclif), OE swelling; Swel(l v.]

1. Abnormal distension of (a part of) the body; a disease characterised by such swelling. b. An instance of this. 1568 Skeyne Descr. Pest 14.
The principall signis of dethe … ar … swolling of the bodie, as in hydropisie [etc.] c1600 Misc. Spald. C. II xxx.
Guid for swelling Tak plaister maid of wormewod with fresche butter … and presse tham togidder and la the same to the soir 1598 Crim. Trials II 66.
Tormentit with vehement panis in his stommok and in his melt, with ane grit sqwalling of his haill belly 1650 Maxwell Mem. I 358.
Malefice of leprosie proven and death following. … Malefice of suelling layd upon [blank]b. a1500 Henr. Practysis 33.
With the snowt of ane selch, ane swelling to swage 1568 Skeyne Descr. Pest 40.
As ony pestilenciall swolling apperis it must be fomentit with the decoctioun of the rute of lilie 1596 Dalr. I 244/12.
Followit this wound ane suelling in his bellie maist lyke the hydropsie 1603 Crim. Trials II 422.
For cureing of the said Johnne Crystie, being diseasit of a swalling 1631 Justiciary Cases I 169.
Ane grevous … sualling … quhairin he had lyne be the space of threttie oulkis of befoir 1665–7 Lauder Jrnl. 96.
We have sein som buy them to lay swallings of their handes

2. fig. Inflated rhetoric. 16… Butler Leighton 277.
Their … sermons were … full of airy cant or of bombast swellings