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.
Quotation dates: 1823-1825, 1955
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GUMMLE, v., n.
I. v. 1. To make muddy by stirring up sediment; fig. to confuse, overcloud.Ayr. 1823 Galt Entail lvi.:
What business had he, wi' his controversies, to gumle law and justice in the manner he has done the day?Ayr. 1825 Jam.2:
Ye're gummlin' a' the water.
2. To make a confused noise in the throat, as e.g. in gargling (m.Lth. 1955); to speak indistinctly, to mumble (m.Lth. 1955).m.Lth. 1955:
Dinna gummle there; speak out.
II. n. Water made turbid by stirring up sand or sediment below (Ayr. 1947); the dregs of any liquid (Ayr. 1954).
[Variant of Grummel, q.v., or phs. back-formation from Gumlie, adj. ]You may wish to vary the format shown below depending on the citation style used.
"Gummle v., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 17 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/gummle>
