▪ I. croodle, v.1 Sc.
(ˈkruːd(ə)l)
[f. prec.]
intr. To make a continued soft low murmuring sound; esp. to coo as a dove. Hence ˈcroodling ppl. a.
| 17.. The Croodlin Doo in Child Eng. & Sc. Ballads II. 363 My little wee croodlin doo. a 1810 Tannahill Bonnie Wood Poems (1846) 132 The cushat croodles amourously. 1890 Univ. Rev. 15 Oct. 195 She made a queer little croodling sound of comfort. |
▪ II. croodle, v.2 dial.
(ˈkruːd(ə)l)
Also crowdle, cru(d)dle.
[Of uncertain origin. It has been viewed as a dim. of crowd; but its dialectal phonology, e.g. W. Yorkshire crooidle, takes it back to a ME. crōdle with long o. In modern use, app. influenced by association with various other words, e.g. crouch, cludder, cuddle.]
intr. To cower or crouch down; to draw oneself together, as for warmth; to cling close together, or nestle close to a person.
| 1788 W. Marshall Yorksh. Gloss., Crowdle, to creep close together, as children round the fire, or chickens under the hen. 1821 Clare Vill. Minstr. II. 183 On the pale traveller's way, Who, croodling, hastens from the storm. 1857 Kingsley Two Y. Ago x, ‘There’, said Lucia, as she clung croodling to him. 1858 ― Winter Gard. Misc. I. 136 As a dove, to fly home to its rest, and croodle there. 1884 Chesh. Gloss., Croodle, (1) to snuggle, as a young animal snuggles against its mother; (2) to crouch down. |