v. Sc. Forms: 6 sweil, 7 swill, 7–8 swyle, 8 swayl, 9 sweal, sweel. [Contracted f. SWEDDLE v.] trans. To swaddle, swathe. Hence Sweeling vbl. sb., attrib. in † sweilling clais, swaddling-clothes.
1567. Gude & Godlie Ball. (S.T.S.), 50. The Sylk and Sandell the to eis, Ar hay, and sempill sweilling clais.
a. 1583. Montgomerie, Flyting w. Polwart, 286 [292] (Tullib. MS.). Swir sweillit [Harl. MS. sweddelled; ed. 1629 swyld; ed. 1688 swill’d] in ane swyneskin.
1768. Ross, Helenore, III. 110. I hae a ribbon twa ell lang,… Gin it hae monie marrows I’m beguil’d, ’Twas never out o’ fauld syn she was swyl’d.
1858. M. Porteous, Souter Johnny, To Shade of Burns. In blanket sweel’d.
1890. Service, Notandums, xiv. 101. Them that were hurt they sweeled in a barrie o’ dirty linen.
