Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

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

FOAL, n., v. Sc. usages. Also †fole. Adj. foalie, folly.

I. n. In combs.: 1. foal('s)-fit, (a) colt's foot, Tussilago farfara (Rxb. 1923 Watson W.-B.). Also in Eng. dial.; (b) the lesser celandine, Ranunculus ficaria (Ayr. 1886 B. and H. 190, foal('s)-, fole-); 2. foalie-mear, a mare in foal. Also in Nhb. dial.; 3. foal's fit, the mucus hanging from a child's nose (Rxb. 1825 Jam., ‡1923 Watson W.-B.); 4. foalsfoot chisel, a chisel drawn down to a round point and ground with a flat face (Abd., Gsw. 1947); 5. foal sheet, the amniotic membranes of a mare, preserved on the birth of the foal, and used as a surgical dressing (Fif.¹⁰ 1914–45; Dmf. 1952).2. Rxb. 1918 Kelso Chron. (12 April):
It was the white-faced folly mear an' the maister's auld pownie lookin' owre the yett.

II. v. Humorously, of a horse: to cast, throw off (its rider) (ne.Sc., Ags. 1952).Sc. 1825 Jam. s.v. Beyont:
“At the Back o' Beyont, where the grey mare foaled the fiddler,” i.e. threw him off in the dirt.Kcd. 1844 W. Jamie Muse of Mearns 105:
The auld grey mare was capering keen, Gaed through the ford, I wat, right bold, But Piper Tam, alas, was foal'd.Abd. 1871 W. Alexander Johnny Gibb xl.:
Aul' an' crazy though the beastie be, I'se asseer ye it was aweers o' foalin' Samie i' the gutters.