powrie

Powries, or dunters, are spirits who inhabit forts, old castles, peel-towers, or dungeons. They constantly make a noise there as of beating flax, or bruising barley in the hollow of a stone. If the sound is longer or louder than usual, it portends a death or misfortune.

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References

Source

  • Henderson, W. (1879). Notes on the folk-lore of the northern countries of England and the borders. Covent Garden: W. Satchell, Peyton and Co., p. 255.