dial. [Echoic.] intr. a. To bark sharply, as a dog; to yelp. (Cf. YAFF v.) b. To talk indistinctly, to mumble. c. Of a woodpecker: To utter its characteristic cry. (Cf. YAFFLE sb.1, YAFFLER.) Hence Yaffling ppl. a.
1847. Halliwell, Yaffle,… to bark. Same as Yaff.
1848. A. B. Evans, Leicestersh. Words, Yaffle, to yelp, or bark like a little dog…. A yaffling little cur.
1875. Anderida, xvi. II. 26. Then came three or four sounding taps from a woodpecker’s beak, and a yaffling laugh as he flew away.
1887. L’pool Daily Post, 12 Aug., 4/5. There are yaffling little pet dogs, of persistent bad behaviour.
