dial. and Hist. [ad. ON. spann (Norw. and Sw. spann, Da. spand), = MLG. and LG. spann, span pail, measure.] A certain measure of butter (in Orkney and the north of Scotland).
1502. in A. Peterkin, Rentals Orkney (1820), 4. In butter scat j span. Ibid. In butter scat uther half span.
1861. C. Innes, Sk. Early Sc. Hist., 77. It was the established usage of Caithness, that for every score of cows a span of butter should be paid to the bishop.
1872. A. P. Forbes, Kalend. Sc. Saints, 262. The usage was to take a span of butter for every twenty cows.
