Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

†FORSEL, n., v. Also forsal, foresail.

I. n. “An implement formed of gloy and bands used for defending the back of a horse when loaded” (Ork. 1825 Jam.), a Flackie; the projections on the clibber on which the panniers were hung. The word is now only hist. and there is some uncertainty as to its exact meaning.Ork. 1922 J. Firth Reminisc. 119:
In the peat leading season it was a common sight to see a train of a dozen carts or “forsals” slowly wending their way to Kirkwall with peats to the landlord.Ork. 1924 P. Ork. A.S. II. 79:
The eastern side of this hill has been cut over for peats, but shows no cart-tracks, the peats having been carried off in “forsals,” or “maisies,” on horses' backs.Ork. 1931 J. Leask Peculiar People 210:
Then, on the clibber were knobs standing up resembling the upper ends of hems, called the foresail.

II. v. 1. To harness a horse (with the clibber or Ork. pack-saddle) (Ork. 1845 Stat. Acc.² XV. 96, 1929 Marw.).Ork. 1880 Dennison Sketch-Bk. 105:
Gin I could grip an' forsel Tangy, An' beuld him i' the yaird o' Hangy.

2. To spread, cover over, e.g. butter on bread, dung on land (Ork. 1929 Marw.), prob. from the notion of spreading the flackie on the horse's back.Id.:
Sal, Jock, be me troth, thu're forsalled that banno' weel.