Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1818-1822, 1897-1923
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BROOSTLE, Brussle, Brussel, Brushel, Broozle, Bruzzle, Bruistle, v. and n. [brusl, brʌsl, brʌzl, brysl]
1. v.
(1) “To be in a great hurry, to be in a bustle about little” (Slk. 1825 Jam.2); “to rush forward in a fierce and disorderly way” (Ayr. Ib., brussel, brushel).Sc.(E) 1897 E. Hamilton Outlaws of the Marches xi.:
You'll hae time enough if you broostle up.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
She brussl't inti the room.
(2) “To perspire violently from toil” (Teviotd. 1825 Jam.2, s.v. broozle). Ppl.adj. bruzzlin'.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
Fair bruzzlin' wi' heat.
2. n.
(1) “A very bustling state, impetuosity in coming forward” (Slk. 1825 Jam.2); a rush, a sally.Slk. 1818 Hogg Brownie of Bodsbeck I. 71–72:
But dinna ye think that a fitter time may come to mak a push? . . . I like nae desperate broostles.
(2) A spell of heated exertion or hard struggle.Ayr. 1822 H. Ainslie Pilgrimage, etc. 199:
In the hettest o' the bruistle I was somehow dung overboard.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
They had a gey brussle ti wun throw.Slk. 1820 Hogg Winter Ev. Tales II. 182:
We gat twal fish a' thegither the-day, an' sair broostles we had wi' some o' them.
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"Broostle v., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 6 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/broostle>
