Ding, to work at—e.g., ‘I’m dinging all the coal out o’ that ould locker.’ When fishermen throw their catch down into the hold, they are said to ding it. The word of command for all hands to begin their work is ‘Ding!’ In the Essex use of the word the sense of furious effort mentioned in E. D. D. seems to be absent.
Discern, to see. Constantly used when there is no suggestion whatever of seeing something with an appreciable effort.
Do, used elliptically for ‘if it does,’ ‘if he does’—e.g., ‘That’ll rain, do, that’ll rain hard.’
Doddy, little. Often used intensively with ‘little’—e.g., ‘Doddy little boat.’
Doke, dent, impression.
Dooberous, doubtful, dubious, suspicious. The nearest word to this in E. D. D. is the Norfolk ‘dooblus,’ which would perhaps be better spelt ‘dooblous.’ An Essex fisherman will say, ‘I doubt that’s dooberous to go to leeward of that buoy.’
Doubt, to think, consider—e.g., ‘I doubt that’s goin’ to rain’; ‘I doubt he won’t catch the train.’
Draining, vide Dreening.
Dreening, wringing wet. Also Draining.
Dringle, to dawdle along. When the tide is barely moving it is said to be ‘just dringling.’