Obs. Also 5 clappolte, -alde, 9 -holde, 7 -hoult. [a. LG. klappholt (Bremen Wbuch.), in Du. klaphout (in Kilian), Da. klapholt (16th c. in Molbech), Ger. klappholz, whence Sw. klappholts: explained in Grimm as ‘smaller pieces of split oak as used by coopers for cask staves, in contrast to the larger pipenstäbe, LG. pipenstäve, Du. pijpstave, Da. pibestaver, Sw. pipstafvar, Eng. pipestaves.’ Kilian explains ‘tabulæ querneæ minores,’ Plantijn ‘bois a tonneliers pour faire les douues.’ Of Low German origin, f. stem of klappen to CLAP (in some one of its various senses) + holt wood.] = CLAPBOARD sb. 2.
1477. Paston Lett., 807, III. 21. There is a grete chyppe go to wrekke … and there came up … gret plente of bowe stauys and waynescotte and clappalde grete plente.
1481–90. Howard Househ. Bks. (1841), 201. For the beryng of vij. c. clappolte xxd.
1614. Eng. Way to Wealth, in Harl. Misc. (Malh.), III. 237. Ships … returning with hemp … clap-holt, [etc.].
1660. Act Tonnage & Poundage 12 Chas. II. Claphoult or Clapboard.
1721. C. King, Brit. Merch., I. 302–3. Clapholt, 101/2 hundred; Deals, 900 hundred.
