Now dial. [f. SPITTLE sb.3] A kind of spade or digging implement.

1

12[?].  Ancr. R., 384. Ȝif eax ne kurue, ne þe spade [v.rr. spitel staf, sputel stef] ne dulue.

2

1605.  Knaresb. Wills (Surtees), I. 252. To Marmaduke Coghill one spitbell [sic] staffe and one iron appell craddell.

3

1676.  Hatton Corr. (Camden), I. 133. One came behind Mr Downs and with a spittle staff cleft his scull.

4

1866.  Brogden, Prov. Lincs., Spittle-staff, a spud, used for stubbing thistles.

5

1877–.  in Linc. and Durh. glossaries.

6