Obs. exc. Sc. and dial. [OE. fętel = OHG. feẓẓil (MHG. veẓẓil, Ger. fessel) chain, band, ON. fetill bandage, strap:—OTeut, *fatilo-z, I root fat- to hold.] a. In OE. A girdle, belt. b. A bandage. c. A handle in the side of a large basket, etc. Also attrib., as fettle strap.
c. 888. K. Ælfred, Boeth., xxxvii. § 1. Mid fetlum & mid ȝyldemun hylt sweordum.
a. 1000. Boeth. Metr., xxv. 19. Sweordum & fetelum.
1599. A. M., trans. Gabelhouer’s Bk. Physicke, 306/2. We must rowle the same [a wound] as necessitye requireth to be done, with narrowe rowles, or with Fetles, accordinge to the constitution of the disease.
1812. J. Henderson, Agric. Surv. Caithn., 69. Each cassie has a fettle or handle in each side.
1847–78. Halliwell, Fettel, a cord used to a pannier.
1877. N. W. Linc. Gloss., Fettle-strap, the strap which sustains a pannier.
