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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.

TITTLE, v.¹, n.¹ Also teetle, tytle (Bnff.). [tɪtl, titl, təitl]

I. v. To whisper, chatter or gossip idly (Sc. 1808 Jam.; I. (teetle), ne.Sc., Ags., wm.Sc. 1972). Obs. in Eng. exc. dial. Ppl.adj. tittlin, chattering, given to prating idly (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 203, tytlin). Deriv. tittiltie-whang, a tell-tale, malicious gossip (Rxb. a.1838 Jam. MSS. XI. 188).Ayr. 1786 Burns Holy Fair 73:
Here sits a raw o' tittlin jades.Ayr. 1887 J. Service Dr Duguid 77:
They were a' tittlin' thegither and talkin' in this form.Bnff. 1929 Banffshire Jnl. (1 Oct.) 2:
There wis three young quines teetlin' an' snickerin'.Sc. 1931 H. McDiarmid First Hymn to Lenin 15:
Like whisky the tittlin' craturs mete oot your poo'ers Aince a week for bawbees in the kirk-door plate.

†II. n. The act of prating idly, gossip, idle talk, one who indulges in this (Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 203, tytle).Sc. 1913 H. P. Cameron Imit. Christ iii. i.:
Tak nae tent till the tittles o' the warl'.