dial. and Sc. Also chiller, chuller, churl (Jam.), choler. [perh.:—OE. ceolur, ceolres throat, cogn. w. OHG. kelur str. masc.:—OTeut. type keluro-, kelro-, from same root as kelôn-, whence OHG. chela (mod.G. kehle), OE. ceole (see CHEL). For the form, cf. OE. weolur lip, OS. lepor lip. The variant chiller might go back to the oblique form, genitive *cielr-es (see Sievers Ags. Gr. 75 Anm. 3). But the late appearance of the word is an element of difficulty; and it is not impossible that it may be related to cholle JOWL.]
(Cf. a. 1000. Ps. Lamb. cxlix. 6 (Bosw.). On ceolre oððe þrote heora [= in gutture eorum.])
1. The jaw, esp. the covering of the lower jaw when fleshy and over-hanging; hence, a flabby cheek, double chin, hanging lip of a hound, etc.
1785. Jrnl. fr. Lond., 2 (Jam.). The second chiel … wi’ a great chuller ouer his cheeks.
1880. Antrim & Down Gloss., Chollers, Chillers, the sides of the neck.
1888. W. Somerset Word-bk., s.v., Ugly-looking woman—her chollers hang down like a bull-dog’s.
2. in pl. The gills of a fish.
1888. W. Somerset Word-bk., s.v., You can slip your vingers into the chollers o’ un. (Also in Scotch.)
Choller, -ic(k, obs. ff. COLLAR, CHULLER, CHOLER, CHOLERIC.
