pritchel, n. dial.
(ˈprɪtʃ(ə)l)
Also prichell, pritchil, purchil.
[A southern parallel form of prickle n.1, repr. the uncontracted forms of OE. pricel.]
A sharp-pointed instrument or tool of various kinds for prodding, cutting, making holes, etc.; b. esp. for punching the nail-holes in horse-shoes.
| 14.. Voc. in Wr.-Wülcker 605/20 Promotorium, a prychel. 1833 J. Holland Manuf. Metal II. 337 The orifice [in wire-drawing plate] is..brought to the proper size by the introduction of what the workman calls a pritchel, or long taper needle. 1847–78 Halliwell, Pritchel, an iron share fixed on a thick staff for making holes in the ground. Kent. 1895 E. Anglian Gloss., Pritchel, a kind of hard chisel for millstones. c 1900 Price List of Millstone Tools, Pritchels and Chisels for cutting Burrs, letting in driving irons, etc. |
| b. 1820 Bracy Clark Descr. New Horse Shoe 14 Nor was there so much trouble in reducing them [the pritchel bumps on the outside of the shoe]..with the pritchel remaining in the hole to prevent its closing. 1875 Knight Dict. Mech., Pritchel (Forging), the punch employed by horse-shoers for punching out or enlarging the nail-holes in a horse-shoe. 1886 Elworthy W. Somerset Word-bk., Purchil, or Pritchil, the square point used..to punch the nail-holes in a horse-shoe. [So in Hartland Gloss.] 1896 Farriers' Price List, A Smith can easily, with his stamp and pritchel, make a hole. |
Hence
ˈpritchel v. dial., to goad (a beast).
| 1875– Gloucestersh. etc. in Eng. Dial. Dict. |