v. dial. Also 7–9 -fell, 9 -fil. [Origin unascertained. Cf. TORPLE.] intr. To founder, go lame (? obs.); to decline in health, pine away, languish; fig. to lose interest in or draw back from an undertaking.
(Hogg’s use of the word is vague.)
1575–6. Durham Depos. (Surtees), 285. This deponent … had an ox that torfled.
1818. Hogg, Brownie of B., etc., II. 149. It was reportit, that there was to be seen every morning at two a clock, a naked woman torfelling on the Alemoor loch, wi’ her hands tied behind her back, and a heavy stane at her neck. Ibid. (1820), Bridal of Polmood, viii. I … fleechyt Eleesabett noore to let us torfell in the waretyme of owir raik [in the springtime of our life’s journey]. Ibid. (1825), Q. Hynde, I. 439. She saw him swathed in bloody red, And torfell’d on the monster’s head.
1876. [see TORPLE 2].
