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.
Quotation dates: 1825-1834, 1923-1925
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BRASTLE, BRASSLE, BRAISSIL, BRAISSLE, Bracel, n. and v. [brɑsl, bresl]
1. n.
(1) In phr. to work by braissils, "to work unequally, making more exertion at one time than at another" (Rxb. 1825 Jam.2). Given as obs. by Watson in Rxb. W.-B. (1923).
(2) A struggle, a toil; a rush, a pell-mell scrimmage.Sc. 1825 Wilson Foresters (1867) xii.:
I should like to see the broose-that is, to here the brassle.Sc. 1834 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1855) IV. 99:
Sic a brassle a' three thegither up the brae.Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.:
A had a sair braissle wi' the wund.
2. v. "To work hurriedly" (Rxb. 1825 Jam.2, s.v. braissil; 1923 Watson W.-B., obsol.); "to advance hastily and with noise" (Slk. 1825 Jam.2, s.v. bracel); to struggle; "to pant and perspire with exertion or toil" (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.).Sc. 1826 Wilson Noctes Amb. (1855) I. 234:
Seeing them . . . plouterin in the dubs, or brastlin up the braes, or sittin doun pechin on "Rest and be thankfu'!"Rxb.(D) 1925 E. C. Smith Mang Howes an Knowes 11:
Hei wad think A was fond, — braisslin on an stressin masel that gait in ony sic waather.
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"Brastle n., v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 6 Apr 2026 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/brastle>
