Obs. exc. dial. Forms: α. 1 suaeðil, suoeðel, sweþil, -el, 4–5 swethel, sueþel, (4 squeþel); β. 5 swedyll, 9 dial. sweddle. [OE. *sweþel:—*swaþil-, f. swaþ- in swaþian to SWATHE + instrumental suffix (-LE). Cf. SWADDLE and SWETHE.] = SWADDLE sb. 1.
c. 725. Corpus Gloss. (Hessels), F 26. Fasciarum, suaeðila.
c. 950. Lindisf. Gosp., John xi. 44. Ligatus pedes et manus institis, ʓebundeno foet & hond suuoeðles.
c. 1050. Voc., in Wr.-Wülcker, 400/41. Fasciarum, sweþelum, wræda. Ibid., 403/4. Fascia, sweþil, wræd.
c. 1450. Mirk’s Festial, 231. When he was bowndyn hondys and fote wyth his sweþeles.
1877. Holderness Gloss., Sweddle, a swathing-band for infants.
1887. South Chesh. Gloss., Sweddles, a child’s swaddling-band.
b. attrib., as † sweddle- (swethel-) band = SWADDLE-BAND; † sweddle-clout = SWADDLING-CLOUTS.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 1343 (Cott.). A new born barn…. Bondon wit sueþelband [v.rr. squeþel bande, suadiling band, swaþeling bonde].
c. 1325. Metr. Hom., 91. A womman … That bar a child in hir arm, In swethel cloutes liand warm.
c. 1460. Towneley Myst., xvi. 310. On lyfe lyefe none of tho that lygys in swedyll clowte.
