Now dial. Forms: 7, 9 sole, 8 sol(l, 8–9 sowl(e, soul, 9 soal, s’ool, sool(e, zowl, etc. [Of obscure origin. It is doubtful how far various dialect uses of soal, soul, sowl, etc., represent the same word.]
1. trans. To pull, seize roughly, etc., by the ear or ears. In later use esp. of dogs: To seize (a pig) by the ears.
1607. Shaks., Cor., IV. v. 212. Hee’l go, he sayes, and sole the Porter of Rome Gates by th’ eares.
1636. Heywood, Love’s Mistress, IV. i. Venus will sole mee by the eares for this.
1671. Skinner, Etymol. Ling. Angl., To Sowl one by the ears, vox agro Linc. usitatissima (i.e.) aures summâ vi vellere. [Hence in Ray, Bailey, etc.]
1787–. in dial. glossaries and texts.
1890. Mrs. C. Praed, Romance of Station, I. iv. 71. S’ool him, Bleuey!
1892. M. C. F. Morris, Yorks. Folk-T., 115–6. An irate father threatening to sowle his refractory son ‘like a dog sowlin’ a pig.’
2. To pull or lug (the ears).
1654. Vilvain, Epit. Ess., Pref. a v b. Cynthia bids stay, Lest she should sole my Ears away.
1886. S. W. Linc. Gloss., s.v., I’ll sowle your ears well for you.
