Forms: α. 3 cuuel-staf, 6–7 coule-, cowle, 6– coul-, cowl-staff. β. 5–8 cole-, 6–7 coal-, coole-, 7 col-, coll-staff. γ. 6–9 colt-staff. [f. cuvel(e, COWL sb.2 + STAFF, in description of its primary use, that of carrying a ‘cowl.’ Partly through phonetic contraction, and partly by ‘popular etymology,’ it came afterwards to be associated with cole, COAL, and COLT; but as a current word it is still generally associated with COWL sb.2]
A stout stick used to carry a ‘cowl,’ being thrust through the two handles of it; a pole or staff used to carry burdens, supported on the shoulders of two bearers; a ‘stang.’ It was formerly a familiar household requisite, and a ready weapon. arch. and dial.
† To ride on a cowl-staff, etc.: to be set astride a pole and carried in derision about the streets; a rough form of popular punishment, inflicted esp. on a husband who allowed himself to be beaten or abused by his wife. See Brand, Pop. Antiq. (1870), II. Nuptial Usages, § 35.
c. 1250. Gen. & Ex., 3710. Ðes XII ðider hem hauen broȝt … An win-grape on an cuuel-staf, And tolden hem ðe lond is god.
1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., 62/2. One clustre of grapes as moche as two men myght bere bytwene them upon a colestaff.
1530. in W. H. Turner, Select. Rec. Oxford, 92. [They] stroke … Wells on the brest wt ye end of a grett cowle staff.
1580. Lupton, Sivqila, 80. If a woman beat hir husbande, the man that dwelleth next unto hir shal ride on a cowlstaffe.
1592. Arden of Feversham, V. i. [We] haue taken the Constable … And carried him about the fields on a coltstaffe.
1598. Shaks., Merry W., III. iii. 156. Go, take vp these cloathes heere, quickly: Wher’s the Cowle-staffe?
a. 1641. Suckling, Goblins, III. (ed. 2), 35. Mounting him upon a Cowle-staffe Which … He apprehended to be Pegasus.
c. 1645. Howell, Lett. (1892), II. 568. There are many that wear horns, and ride daily upon Coltstaves.
1698. Sidney, Disc. Govt., ii. § 24 (1704), 168. He resolv’d to follow the Crown, tho it were upon a Coalstaff.
1712. J. James, trans. Le Blond’s Gardening, 182. Two Men will easily carry it upon a Colt-Staff, or Hand-Barrow.
1777. Hoole, Comenius’ Vis. World (ed. 12), 84. One can carry as much by thrusting a Wheel-barrow, before him … as two can carry on a Cole-staff.
1822. Imison, Sc. & Art, I. 30. When two draymen carry a barrel on a coulstaff, to which it is suspended by a chain.
† b. as an appliance in bone-setting. Obs.
1676. Wiseman, Chirurg. Treat., VII. v. 488. Instruments proper for the Reduction of the luxated shoulder are Ladder, Coulstaffe, Pulleys, Glossocomium, [etc.].
1688. Sir J. Bramston, Autobiog., 297. A bone-setter … came … and tryed it with a coole-staff, which put my son to extream torture.
