nappy

adj

Etymology: Related to knap.

1. Brittle.

noun

1. A kind of strong ale; nappy ale.

   “1827, R. Charlton, Newcastle Improvements, in T. Thompson, et al. A Collection of Songs, Comic and Satirical, Chiefly in the Newcastle Dialect, page 151, Aw′ve seen when we′ve gyen iv a kind, freenly way / To be blithe ower a jug o′ good nappy”

   “1857, Hugh Miller, The Cruise of the Betsey, 2009, Echo Library, page 248, Weel do I mind that in a′ our neeborly meetings—bridals, christenings, lyke-wakes an′ the like,—we entertained ane anither wi′ rich nappy ale; […] . But the tea has put out the nappy; an′ I have remarked, that by losing the nappy we lost baith ghaists an′ fairies.”

verb

Etymology: A diminutive in -y. The base is probably napkin but possibly French nappe directly (note that napkin is already a diminutive).

1. To put a nappy on.

   “The mother nappied the baby.”