local. Also wassel. [Of obscure origin.] The stems of seaweed used as a manure.
1797. J. Bailey & Culley, Agric. Northumbld., 118. The fucus digitatus (wassels) is the great favourite.
1892. J. C. Hodgson, in Hist. Berwicksh. Naturalists’ Club, XIV. 115, note. The stems … become detached from their rocks about October, and are locally named ‘belks’ or ‘wassal.’
