Hi Patricia, I also found the definition calming, etc., but it doesn't seem
to work in context. What little I gleaned so far from the text is that
someone might have to compensate another if he does this to the wrong sheep.
I don't know the words for shearing or rooing (plucking) the wool, or even
breeding the sheep, but maybe it is something like that?

There are many obscure words in English for things relating to sheep
(hogget, etc) so it would not surprise me if there were also odd ones in ON.
Grace
Fred and Grace Hatton
Hawley Pa