An Etymological Dictionary of the Scottish Language / in which the words are explained in their different senses, authorized by the names of the writers by whom they are used, or the titles of the works in which they occur, and deduced from their originals

by John Jamieson

This word is most probably from Lat. benè, well.

BENJEL, s. A heap, a considerable quantity; as "a benjel of coals," when many are laid at once on the fire, S. B. Bensil, however, is used in the same sense in the South and West of S.
V. [Bensell].

BENK, BINK, s. A bench, a seat. It seems sometimes to have denoted a seat of honour.
Kelly.

Dan. benk, Germ. bank, scamnum; Wachter.

BENN, s. A sash.
V. [Bend].
Statist. Acc.

BENORTH, prep. To the northward of; besouth, to the southward of, S.
Wyntown.

BENSELL, BENSAIL, BENT-SAIL, s.
1. Force, violence of whatever kind, S.
Douglas.
2. A severe stroke; properly that which one receives from a push or shove, S.
3. "A severe rebuke," Gl. Shirr. "I got a terrible bensell;" I was severely scolded, S.
4. Bensil of a fire, a strong fire, South and West of S.

It is not unlikely that the word was originally bent-sail, as alluding to a vessel driven by the force of the winds.

To BENSEL, v. a. To bang, or beat, Gl. Sibb. "Bensel, to beat or bang. Vox rustica, Yorksh." Gl. Grose.

BENSHAW, BEANSHAW, s. A disease, apparently of horses.
Polwart.