Obs. exc. dial. Also 5 winele, 6 windell. [? Back-formation from WINDLESTRAW; but cf. WINDER v.] intr. To lose strength or vigor; to wither, waste away, dwindle. Hence Windling ppl. a.2
c. 1325. Gloss. W. de Bibbesw., in Wright, Voc., 161. Jo ay la mayn si estomye [gloss so acomeled, v.r. wineled].
1579. W. Wilkinson, Confut. Fam. Love, 31 b. The fruite thereof for want of moysture begynneth to windell.
1620. Gataker, David’s Instruct., 6. Tender plants … are in danger else to windle and wither away.
1888. Sheffield Gloss., Windle, v. to dwindle…. Windling, adj., feeble, delicate.
