north. and E. Anglian. Also 4 sqwill(e, 4–7 swille. [Origin unknown.]
1. A large shallow basket, made roughly with strips of oak, unpeeled willows, or the like.
1395. Cartular. Abb. de Whiteby (Surtees), II. 604. Pro ij cannis et j sqwill, subulco, vj. d.
1569. Richmond Wills (Surtees), 218. vj sand pokes with iij great swilles.
1650. in Trans. Cumb. & Westm. Antiq. Soc. (N. S.), IX. 291. The Miller … shall not lette any moulter stay in swilles … above half a peck.
1701. in W. O. Blunt, Ch. Chester-le-Street (1884), 103. Paid for a swill for ye cuishon 00 00 03.
1811. Willan, in Archaeologia, XVII. 160 (W. Riding Words). Swill, a wicker basket, used by washer-women.
1829. Brockett, N. C. Gloss., Swill, a round basket of wicker work; generally carried on the head.
1894. H. D. Rawnsley, Lit. Assoc. Engl. Lakes, I. 123. Here he worked at his baskets and swills for five and a half years.
b. spec. A basket in which fish, esp. herrings, are landed or carried to market; hence as a measure, containing from 500 to 660 herrings. † Formerly also for oysters.
1352. Excheq. Acc. Q. R., Bundle 20. No. 27 (P.R.O.). De id. ob. solutis pro uno sqwille empto.
1398. York Memo. Bk. (Surtees), I. 164. Ceaux qe vendount oistres desormes facent vendre par swilles.
1657. in Sir C. Sharp, Chron. Mirab. (1841), 33 (Wolsingham). George Greeinewell, the swill maker.
1853. Househ. Words, VI. 425/2. At Yarmouth … the fish are landed in certain convenient and quaintly-shaped baskets, called ‘swills.’
1856. Illustr. Lond. News, 12 April, 374/1 (Yarmouth). A number of baskets called ‘swells,’ somewhat [similar] in shape to a baker’s basket, but considerably longer, with a broad flat handle in the centre, at top.
1894. R. Leighton, Wreck Golden Fleece, 14. Many’s the time I’ve risked my life for a swill o’ mackerel or a line of haddocks.
† 2. A washing-tub. Obs.
1624. in Archaeologia, XLVIII. 147 (Yorks.). In the Wash-house. Tubbs 3. Swills 3. Soaes 3. a cloth baskettes.
1674. Ray, N. C. Words, A Swill, a keeler to wash in, standing on three feet.
