Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

SCRAUCHLE, v., n. Also scrauchel, scrachle. [skrǫxl]

I. v. To scramble with hands and feet, to clamber in a hasty clumsy manner (Lnk. 1825 Jam.; Slg., Peb., w. and sm.Sc., Slk. 1969); to move about with difficulty (Cld. 1880 Jam.).Lnk. 1875 T. Stewart Doric Rhyme 139:
I fain wad scrauchel up a stap.Lth. 1885 J. Strathesk More Bits 297:
Jamie scrauchled out, he flew past his claes.Kcb. 1911 G. M. Gordon Auld Clay Biggin' 9:
Efter she had scrachled intil the box bed.Arg. 1917 A. W. Blue Quay Head Tryst 119:
He's sure it's a city o' Wee Bethels wi' a sate at the gate for some frien's like me, that hae juist scrachled in an' nae mair.Lnk. 1923 G. Rae Langsyne vii.:
Is there nae possibility o' Bob scrauchlin' up what's left o' Crosscryne?

II. n. A clamber, scramble, crawl (Cld. 1880 Jam.).