dial. [perh. subst. use of SWARTH a. But cf. Sc. warth, var. wraith.] The apparition of a dying person; a wraith.
1674. Ray, N. C. Words, 47. A Swarth, Cumb., the Ghost of a dying man.
1790. Grose, Provinc. Gloss., Pop. Superstitions, 13. These apparitions are called Fetches, or Wraiths, and in Cumberland, Swarths.
