warsle

or war·stle

[ wahr-suhl ]

verb (used with or without object)

, war·sled, war·sling,

1. wrestle.

Word History and Origins

Origin of warsle¹

1300–50; Middle English; Old English *wǣrstlian, metathetic variant (compare wǣrstlīc of wrestling) of wrǣstlian to wrestle

Example Sentences

Man, curate, can ye no contrive to warsle up the brae a bit?

From Project Gutenberg

But, nevertheless, I trust and hope, that though the virgin bride of protestantism be for a season thrown on her back, she shall not be overcome, but will so strive and warsle aneath the foul grips of that rampant Arminian, the English high-priest Laud, that he shall himself be cast into the mire, or choket wi' the stoure of his own bakiefu's of abominations, wherewith he would overwhelm and bury the Evangil.

From Project Gutenberg

Folk a' hae their troubles, and we 'll get our share, But we 'll warsle out through them, and scorn to despair; Sae cheer up yer heart, for we never shall part, An' ye 'll never gang back to yer mither nae mair.

From Project Gutenberg

There were twa brethren in the north, They went to the school thegither; The one unto the other said, ‘Will you try a warsle afore?’

From Project Gutenberg

Would a’ the land do this, then I’ll be caution Ye’ll soon hae poets o’ the Scottish nation, Will gar fame blaw until her trumpet crack, And warsle time, on’ lay him on his back!

From Project Gutenberg