hemel, hemmel north. dial.
(ˈhɛm(ə)l)
Also hammel, 8–9 hemble.
[Etymol. uncertain: possibly a dim. formation from root of ham n.2 (Cf. also helm n.1 7.)]
A cow-shed; a close for cattle, partly covered.
| 1717 in N. Riding Rec. VII. 284 A messuage or dwelling house with a stable, a barn, a hemble or cowhouse, on the backside of the said messuage. 1806 R. Kerr Agric. Surv. Berwick 503 (Jam.) Sheds are named hemmels. 1812 J. Sinclair Syst. Husb. Scot. i. 21 Small open sheds, or what, in Berwickshire, are called Hammels or Hemmels, with separate straw-yards attached. 1825 Brockett, Hemmel, a shed or covering for cattle. 1850 Jrnl. R. Agric. Soc. XI. i. 30 Cattle hemels..are highly favourable to health. 1851 H. Stephens Bk. Farm (1855) I. 242 The hammels [are occupied] by the two-year-olds, or such as are fattening for the butcher. 1893 W. Fream Youatt's Compl. Grazier (ed. 13) 171 The litter used in hammels is..less by one-third than that required for stall-feeding. |