Sc. and dial. Also 6 towter, 9 toolter. [Late ME.; goes with next; exact relation obscure.] Moving unsteadily; unsteady, unstable, tottering; insecure, precarious; in quot. 1430–40, giddy. Also as adv. unsteadily.
1423. James I., Kingis Q., ix. Sothe It is, that, on hir tolter quhele, Euery wight cleuerith In his stage. Ibid., clxiv. So tolter quhilum did sche it to-wrye.
1430–40. Lydg., Bochas, IV. xxiii. (MS. Bodl. 263), 252/1. Tascende the mounteyn, feeble wer ther chynes Ther hedis toltir, & ther brayn gan faille.
c. 1480. Henryson, Orpheus & Eurydice, 283. Before his [Tantalus’] face ane apill hang also, Fast at his mouth, apon a tolter threid.
1560. Rolland, Seven Sages, 29. That we may all prouyde Sum help, that may put by this towter tide.
1880. Dennison, in Orcadian Sketch-Bk., 119. His bowie legs … Wur trumblan’ like twa toolter stoops.
