Obs. [Welsh cnapan, deriv. of cnap knob, lump, round piece.] An old Welsh game in which a wooden ball was hurled through the air by successive players, each side endeavoring to drive it as far as possible in one direction; also the ball with which this game was played.
1573. Phaër, Æneid, VII. marg., This play is yet used in Wales, and the ball is called Knappan.
1603. Owen, Pembrokeshire (1892), 271. Of these Knappan daies in Penbrokshere there were wont to be fyve in nomber. Ibid., 273. There is a rounde bowle prepared … of some massye wood,… and should be boyled in tallow, for to make it slipperye, and harde to be holden, this bowle is called Knappan, and … he that catcheth it hurleth it towardes the countrey he playeth for, for gole, or appointed place.
Hence † Knappaner, a player at this game.
1603. Owen, Pembrokeshire (1892), 280. Saw none but himselfe and this old rude Knappaner in place.
