dial. Also 9 tiddle. [perh. in origin a dinl. var. of TICKLE v.; also locally confused with TIDDLE v. Cf. also L. titillāre to tickle; but influence of this is doubtful.] trans. and intr. = TICKLE v. in various senses. Hence Tittling vbl. sb., tickling; † Tittler (titler), one who or that which tickles, a tickler.
13[?]. Gaw. & Gr. Knt., 1726. Þer he [the fox] watz þreted, & ofte þef called, & ay þe titleres at his tayl, þat tary he ne myȝt.
1579. Hake, Newes Powles Churchyard, vii. F viij b. The countrey maides that come from far, as straungers to the towne: Whome still the Trottes doe tittle so, that straight all shame layde downe, They yelde them selues as captiues queanes, vnto some whorish caue.
a. 1825. Forby, Voc. E. Anglia, Tittle, v. to tickle.
1866. J. G. Nall, Gt. Yarmouth & Lowestoft, 673. A girl says ‘I ’ont be tiddled by you nor no one.’
1877. N. W. Linc. Gloss., Tittling, tickling.
1881. Leicestersh. Gloss., Tittle, v.a., var. pron. of ‘tickle.’
1888. J. Hartley, Clock Alm., 8 (E.D.D.). Her nose end’s sewer to tittle like mad.
1900. Daily News, 6 June, 6/3. The … vendors of ‘tiddlers’ sold them quickly—for the ‘tiddled’ naturally wanted to ‘tiddle’ others in turn. [See also TIDDLER2.]
