▪ I. swang, n. Chiefly north. dial.
(swæŋ)
[Cf. dial. swank of the same meaning; both may be derived (with guttural suffix) from the root swam-, and so ultimately related to swamp (with labial suffix).]
A low-lying piece of ground liable to be flooded; a boggy depression, swamp. See also first quot. and cf. swamp n. 1 b, quot. 1691.
| 1691 Ray N.C. Words 72 A Swang, a fresh piece of green Swarth lying in a bottom among arable or barren Land. A Dool. Ibid. 137 A Swang, locus paludosus, or part of a Pasture overflow'd with water. 1811 Willan W. Riding Words in Archaeologia XVII. 160 Swang, a part of a pasture covered with water. 1891 Atkinson Moorland Par. 70 The swampy, undrained ‘swang’. |
▪ II. swang, v. Obs. exc. dial.
[f. root swang-: see swing v.]
intr. To sway or swing to and fro.
| 13.. E.E. Allit. P. A. 111 Swangeande swete þe water con swepe. 1340–70 Alex. & Dind. 493 Fihches, þat þere swimmen ful swiþe & swangen aboute. |
▪ III. swang
obs. pa. tense of swing v.