kittle

1 of 2

verb

kit·tle ˈki-tᵊl

kittled; kittling

ˈkit-liŋ,

ˈki-tᵊl-iŋ

transitive verb

1

chiefly Scotland : tickle

2

chiefly Scotland : perplex

kittle

2 of 2

adjective

chiefly Scotland

: ticklish, touchy

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English (northern dialect) kytyllen

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1568, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of kittle was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Kittle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kittle. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

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kittle

verb

adjective

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