Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BORAL, BORREL, n. Also burrel (Sc. 1741 A. McDonald Galick Vocab. 49). “An instrument for boring, one end of which is placed on the breast. Hence called a breast bore” (Tev. 1825 Jam.²). Given in Watson Rxb. W.-B. 1923 as obs. [′borɑl, ′bɔrəl]Sc. 1801 J. Leyden (ed.) Compl. Scot., Gl. 314:
Borrel, a borer, or wimble; in common use; hence borrel-brace, a species of carpenter's wimble-shaft.Sh. 1914 Angus Gl.:
Boral, a boring tool such as a gimlet or auger.

Combs.: (1) boral hole, a hole made by a wimble, used fig.; (2) boral-tree, “the handle of a wimble” (Tev. 1825 Jam.²).(1) Slk. 1818 Hogg Brownie of Bodsbeck II. v.:
His breiste was like ane heck of hay; His gobe ane rounde and boral hole.