ˈspittle-staff Now dial.
[f. spittle n.3]
A kind of spade or digging implement.
| 12.. Ancr. R. 384 Ȝif eax ne kurue, ne þe spade [v.rr. spitel staf, sputel stef] ne dulue. 1605 Knaresb. Wills (Surtees) I. 252 To Marmaduke Coghill one spitbell [sic] staffe and one iron appell craddell. 1676 Hatton Corr. (Camden) I. 133 One came behind Mr. Downs and with a spittle staff cleft his scull. 1866 J. E. Brogden Prov. Lincs., Spittle-staff, a spud, used for stubbing thistles. 1877– in Linc. and Durh. glossaries. |