walsh, a. Sc. and north.
Also 6 welsche, 7, 9 welsh.
[? contracted f. wallowish a. Cf. wash a., wersh a.]
Insipid, tasteless, ill-tasting; having a sickly taste, nauseous.
| 1513 Douglas æneis vi. vii. 79 To pas..By gousty placis, welsche savorit, mist, and hair. c 1687 in C. K. Sharpe Witchcraft in Scot. viii. (1884), It was not bloud, but red as bloud,..it had a welsh taste. 1691 Ray N.C. Words 78 Walsh, insipid, fresh, waterish. 1825 Brockett N.C. Words, Welsh, insipid... Broth and water, and pottage without salt, are wallow or welsh. 1876 Whitby Gloss., Walsh, tasteless. ‘As walsh as the white of an egg’. |
Hence ˈwalshness, insipidity.
| 1808 Jamieson. 1876 Whitby Gloss., Walshness, want of flavour; insipidity. |