a. Sc. and north. Also 6 welsche, 7, 9 welsh. [? contracted f. WALLOWISH a. Cf. WASH a., WERSH a.] Insipid, tasteless, ill-tasting; having a sickly taste, nauseous.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, VI. vii. 79. To pas … By gousty placis, welsche savorit, mist, and hair.
c. 1687. in C. K. Sharpe, Witchcraft in Scot., viii. (1884). It was not bloud, but red as bloud,… it had a welsh taste.
1691. Ray, N. C. Words, 78. Walsh, insipid, fresh, waterish.
1825. Brockett, N. C. Words, Welsh, insipid…. Broth and water, and pottage without salt, are wallow or welsh.
1876. Whitby Gloss., Walsh, tasteless. ‘As walsh as the white of an egg.’
Hence Walshness, insipidity.
1808. Jamieson.
1876. Whitby Gloss., Walshness, want of favour; insipidity.
