dratchell, drotchell Now only midl. dial.
(ˈdrætʃəl, ˈdrɒtʃəl)
[Derivation uncertain. Connexion is suggested with dretch v.2, Sc. dratch to go heavily and reluctantly, to linger. Cf. also Sc. drotch to hang negligently; and see drazel, drossel.]
A slovenly, untidy woman; a slut.
| 1755–73 Johnson, Drotchel, an idle wench; a sluggard. In Scottish it is still used. 1859 Geo. Eliot A. Bede xx. ¶9 She'll be a poor dratchell by then she's thirty. Ibid. xxxvi (end), She's not a common flaunting dratchell, I can see that. |