Obs. rare. Also trotouale, trotyuale. [Derivation unascertained. The word occurs 4 times in R. Brunne Handlyng Synne, and once in Map’s Body & Soul; no OF. equivalents. In Piers Plowman, B. XVIII. 142, C. XXI. 146, waltrot, walterot appears to have the same elements in reversed order: see Skeat’s Notes, p. 407, where the word is discussed, and conjectures put forth, but with little success.] Idle tale-telling, vain talk.
a. 1300. Body & Soul, in Map’s Poems (Camden), 337. Al ye maden troteuale [printed trotenale], that I haved seid biforn.
1303. R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 48. Yn gamys, & festys, & at þe ale, Loue men to lestene troteuale [v.rr. trotouale, to telle trotyuale]. Ibid., 8080. Þenkeþ on þys tale, And takeþ hyt for no troteuale! Ibid., 5970. Ibid., 9244.
