Definition of "wintle" in English

verb

1. (Scotland) To wind, to reel.

   • c. 1688-1746, Author not recorded, Cumberland and Murray's Descent into Hell, 1861, Charles Mackay (editor), The Jacobite Songs and Ballads of Scotland from 1688 to 1746, page 266, The worm of hell, which never dies, / In wintled coil writhes up and fries.
   • 1974, Austin Clarke, quoted in 1981, G. Craig Tapping, Austin Clarke: A Study of His Writings, page 282, Along the cliffs a breeze wintled.

2. (Scotland) To stagger, to sway or rock.

3. (Scotland) To tumble, to capsize.

4. (Scotland) To wriggle.