Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1968 (SND Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

PAWL, v., n. Also paul, paulle, pall.

I. v. 1. intr. and absol. Of an animal, esp. a horse: to comb the ground with the forefoot, paw the ground (Slk. 1825 Jam.; Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B., paul); also used tr. in phr. to pawl the ground.

†2. To make clutching or groping movements with the hands, to grab at something feebly or ineffectively, fumble (Rxb. 1825 Jam.); also with at: to work feebly, ineffectively or half-heartedly (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.); specif. to toy or play with one's food without appetite (Ib.).Slk. 1818 Hogg Tales (1874) 71:
The corpse again sat up in the bed, pawled wi' its hands, and stared round wi' its dead face.Slk. 1912 H.J.C. Clippings from Clayboddie (1921) 40:
He chewed and sucked and pawled at them [porridge] with his spoon, and after all left half of them in the bowl.

†II. n. 1. A fumbling, groping movement. a weak clutch.Slk. 1831 Hogg Poems (1874) 368:
Hee maide a paulle with handis and feitte, And gaif ane faynte “Hurraye!”