sprottle, v. dial.
(ˈsprɒt(ə)l)
[Cf. spartle v.2, sprattle v.2]
intr. To sprawl, to struggle helplessly. Hence ˈsprottling ppl. a.
| 1829 J. Hunter Hallamshire Gloss. 85 Sprottle, to struggle with inefficacious vehemence. 1839 A. Bywater Sheffield Dial. 15 An we sprottlin abaht to ger up. 1917 D. H. Lawrence Look! We have come Through! 97 Why do you spurt and sprottle like that, bunny? 1921 ― Tortoises 19 It goes right through him, the sprottling insect. 1937 A. Uttley Ambush of Young Days iv. 65 The lamb suddenly gave a tiny wailing ‘Baa’, and tried to struggle to its feet. ‘It's sprottling. It'll be all right,’ cried Josiah, our old manservant. |