Sc. and north. Also (midland dial.) stinge. [f. STING sb.1; the variation in pronunciation is normal, as the sb. has an umlaut-vowel.] trans. To thatch or repair thatch with a ‘sting’ or pointed tool.
1707. in Lady G. Baillie’s Househ. Bk. (S.H.S.), p. lxiv. For 85 threve oat stra crop 1707 @ 6s. to sting the house, £2. 2s. 6d. Ibid. (1710), 238.
1815. Pennecuik’s Wks., 89 (E.D.D.). Heath is neither sewed nor stinged.
1854. Miss Baker, Northampt. Gloss., Stinge, to repair thatched buildings by driving up the old thatch, and pushing in the new halm by means of the stinger.
1876. Whitby Gloss., Sting in, to tuck in with a ‘stinging-prod’ [defined as ‘a long iron point’].
1881. Leicester Gloss., Stinge.
1893–4. Northumb. Gloss., Sting.
