Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1934 (SND Vol. I). Includes material from the 1976 supplement.
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

BERGEL(L), BERGLE, BERGILL, BERGAL, BERGELT, n. Used in Ork. and Sh. for some species of the wrasse, Labrus, Eng. ballan. Both in Ork. and Sh. there is a great variety of forms, of which see a few in quots. [′bɛrgəl] Sh. 1866 Edm. Gl., bergle, bergell, the wrasse, berguylt, the black goby; 1908 Jak. (1928), berggiltek, berggilti, berggolti, -golt, -goltek, wrasse (labrus), bergelt, bergel; 1914 Angus Gl., bêrgülti, the black goby.Ork. 1795 Stat. Acc.¹ XIV. 314:
Many other fish are caught about this coast . . . called in this country milds, bergills, skate.Ork. 1805 G. Barry Hist. of Ork. 289:
The Wrasse (labrus tinca Lin. Syst.) that has here got the name of bergle.Ork. 1929 Marw.:
Bergel, the wrasse. . . . Also in form bergilt and berrigal, bergilto and bergiltin.Mry.² 1925:
Runkie or Norway Haddock or Bergylt.

fig. (See quot.)Ork. 1929 Marw.:
Bergel, a stout dumpy person or animal.Ork. 1956 C. M. Costie Benjie's Bodle 189:
"Wha's yin aald bergal that's haedan this wey?"