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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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

BREESHLE, BREES(S)IL, Breissil, v. and n. Cf. Brastle. [briʃl, brisl]

1. v. To hurry, to rush; “to come on in a hurry, making a rustling noise” (Lnk. 1825 Jam.², breesil; Lnk.³ 1935). Known to Cai.⁷ (obsol.), Abd.², Ags.¹ 1935. Also breeshlin, vbl.n.Per. 1898 E.D.D.:
Breeshlin at yer wark never succeeds like a steady ca' awa'.Fif. 1841 C. Gray Lays and Lyrics 220:
Yet whyles, blythe Bald, wi' skreeds o' rhyme, I let that feckfow fallow, Time, Gae breeshlin by.

2. n.

(1) “The act of coming on in a hurry” (Fif. 1825 Jam.²); a rush. Known to Cai.⁷ (obsol.), Abd.⁹, Ags.¹, Fif.10, Lnk.³ 1935.Bnff. 1866 Gregor D. Bnff. 218, s.v. brent:
The horse . . . ran doon the brae wee a breeshle.Fif. 1827 W. Tennant Papistry Storm'd 56:
Sic like the breissil and the clatter, As to the loan the burghers blatter. [spelled breesil, ib. 31]

(2) “A violent attack in whatever way. Hence the phrase to bide a breessil, to endure a severe onset” (Fif. 1825 Jam.², breessil).