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

Teut. swinghel-en het vlas, id.; A. S. swing-an, flagellare.

Swingle-wand, s. The instrument with which flax is swingled, S. B.

SWINGLE-TREE, s.
1. One of the moveable pieces of wood put before a plough or harrow, to which the traces are fastened, S.
2. Used improperly for the poles of a coach.
Journ. Lond.

Teut. swinghel-en, to move backwards and forwards.

To SWINK, SWYNK, v. n. To labour.

A. S. swinc-an, laborare.

Henrysone.

Swink, s. Labour.
Sir Tristrem.

SWIPPER, adj.
1. Nimble; S. B. swippert.
Douglas.
2. Sudden, S. B.
Ross.
3. Hasty, tart, S. B.

A. S. swip-an, Isl. swip-a, cito agere; Isl. swipr, subita apparentia.