teedle, v. Sc.
(ˈtiːd(ə)l)
[? Echoic. Cf. deedle in Eng. Dial. Dict.; also doodle, toodle, tootle.]
trans. To sing (a tune) without words; to hum.
| ? a 1800 Sc. Song, Had awa frae me Donald (Jam.), But rock your weeane in a scull And teedle Heelan sing, Matam. 1824 Mactaggart Gallovid. Encycl. (1876) 444 Teedling, singing a tune without accompanying it with the words. 1827 Scott Chron. Canongate v, My little Highland landlady..stood at the door ‘teedling’ to herself a Highland song as she shook a table-napkin over the fore-stair. |