Obs. exc. dial. [f. CAVEL sb.1]
a. intr. To cast lots. b. trans. To allot, apportion. Hence Cavelling vbl. sb.
c. 1375. Barbour, St. Georgis, 101. Quhene þe maste party Of þe folk distroyt war vtrely Be sic cuttis and cawelynge.
1652. in Stonehouse, Axholme (1839), 90–1. Lands lying in the Isle of Axholme … which … were cavelled out, and allotted to every Participant.
1805. State, Leslie of Powis, etc., 123 (Jam.). After the cavelling of the water in April.
1850. N. & Q., Ser. I. I. 473/2.
1887. R. O. Heslop, in letter, 2 Aug. Each collier draws his cavel, and the number on his ticket is the number of the ‘bord’ at which he must hew for a stated period, till another cavelling, takes place.
