sb. Obs. Also 4 smerle, smerel. [Back-formation from SMERLES, taken as a plural: cf. RIDDLE sb.1] Ointment.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 7334. Þis saul haue þai mad þair king, Wit smerl and als wit coruning. Ibid., 11503. A smerl o selcuth bitturnes.
a. 1300. E. E. Psalter, cxxxii. 2. Als þe smerle in heued onon Falles in berde … of Aaron.
Hence † Smerl v. trans., to anoint. Also † Smerling vbl. sb. Obs.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 7328. He sal be smerld þair king to be. Ibid., 9338. Quen he þat haliest es cumen, Your smerling sal fra yow be nummen.
