Now Sc. and north. dial. Also 6 kyt(t)ell. [perh. a back formation from KITLING: but cf. Norw. kjetla, in the same sense.]
1. = KITTEN v.
1530. Palsgr., 599/1. Whan your catte kytelleth, I praye you, let me have a kytlynge.
1611. Cotgr., Chatonner, to kittle.
? 17[?]. in Scott, Minstr. Scot. Bord., II. 285 (Jam.). The hare sall kittle on my hearth stane.
1825. Brockett, Kittle, to bring forth kittens.
2. fig. (intr. and pass.) To be engendered or produced; to come into being.
1823. Galt, Entail, II. xxx. 282. I would be nane surprised if something had kittled between Jamie and a Highland lassie.
1824. Scott, St. Ronan’s, ii. Before ony of them were born, or ony sic vapouring fancies kittled in their cracked brains.
1827. J. Wilson, Noct. Ambr., Wks. 1855, I. 277. The cursedest kintra that ever was kittled.
