seal v also swile, swoil OED ~ v3 (1828-). To hunt seals, esp from a vessel in the ice-floes.
1896 Dial Notes i, 381 To go swoiling. 1905 DUNCAN 40 You'll know more about packs nex' spring, me b'y.—I been swilin'. . in these seas every spring for fifty-seven years. [1952] 1978 Haulin' Rope & Gaff 142 "Last of the Wooden Walls": Withstood the northern elements of many a whitecoat season / To 'swoile' the crusted swell. T 185-65 You hear talk o' [swanskin cuffs]? Made out of swanskin; they'd come to your elbow, and a thumb in 'em. You'd shove 'em on out birdin', out sealin'. 1977 Inuit Land Use 211 They'd always come [and set their net in the bight] and seal alongside of us.
