Wassail. A drinking-song, sung by men who go about at Christmas wassailing (A.B.).—N.W.
Wassailing, Waysailing. Going about singing and asking for money at Christmas (A.B.).—N.W.
*Wasset-man. A scarecrow (A.B.G.H.Wr.); also Wusset (H.Wr.).—N.W.
Watch. If a hay-rick is so badly made that it heats, the owner is often so ashamed of it that he attempts to set the matter right before his neighbours find it out. If a passer-by notices him poking about the hay as if searching for something in it, the ironical question is asked—'Have you lost your watch there?'—N.W. (Clyffe Pypard.) Cp. 'To drop your watch in the bottom of the rick.'—Upton-on-Severn Words, p. 34.
Watchet, Wetched, Wetchet. Wet about the feet. Wotshed at Cherhill. Wetched (A.).—N.W.
'Either way, by lane or footpath, you are sure to get what the country folk call "watchet," i.e. wet.'—Wild Life, ch. vi.
'You'd best come along o' me to the lower lands ... for it be mighty wet there these marnins, and ye'll get watshed for certin.'—The Story of Dick, ch. xii. p. 142.
*Water Anemone. Ranunculus hederaceus, L., Ivy-leafed Crowfoot.—S.W. (Zeals.)
*Water-blobb. Nuphar lutea, Sm., The Water-lily (A.B.). See Blobbs.
*Water-buttercup. Ranunculus Flammula, L., Lesser Spear-wort.—S.W. (Zeals.)