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Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1974 (SND Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

TACKLE, n., v. Also taickle (Fif. 1830 A. Stewart Dunfermline (1889) 21; Abd. R. Cassie Heid or Hert iii.), taickil (Slk. 1813 Hogg Queen's Wake 72), taikle (Abd. 1946 J. C. Milne Orra Loon 24), teckle (Fif., Lth. 1926 Wilson Cent. Scot. 270; Abd. 1966 Huntly Express (8 April) 6); teekle (Inv. 1911 Buchan Observer (10 April 1962) 7). Sc. forms and usages. [Sc. ‡tekl. See P.L.D. § 48.1(3).]

I. n. 1. As in Eng., gear, equipment, harness, rigging; specif. an arrow. Arch. Obs. in Eng. in 17th c.Sc. 1776 D. Herd Sc. Songs I. 53:
The swallow-tails frae teckles flew.

2. Phr. to get the taikle, to get into trouble (Ags. 1972).

II. v. 1. To catch with fishing tackle.Per. 1843 R. Nicoll Poems 254:
A fouth o' spotted trout Whilk we had tackled weel.

2. With to, till: to set to work vigorously on (Sc. 1905 E.D.D.). Rare. Dial. in Eng.Per. 1874 R. S. Fittis Hist. Per. 287:
How he tackled to Eutropius and Caesar.e.Lth. 1885 S. Mucklebackit Rural Rhymes 238:
The barnyaird had to be tackled till.

3. Vbl.n. taikling, tackling, equipment. specif. ropes and pulleys.Gsw. 1725 Burgh Rec. Gsw. (1909) 236:
Scaffolding and taikling, pinding, plestering, and whytening the whole pens of the quier.