U.S. [? ad. Sp. corto short, CURT, or cuerda CORD.] A kind of riding-whip used in the western United States and Spanish America, having a short handle and a braided leather lash about two feet long.
1851. Mayne Reid, Scalp Hunt., xxxi. 240. The young hunter laid his quirt to the flanks of the mustang.
1888. [see QUIRT v.2].
1894. Outing (U.S.), XXIV. 215/2. The spectators even went so far as to strike the bare backs of their favorites with quirts, or whips, to urge them on.
