Now Sc. and U.S. [app. of imitative origin: cf. SPLOTCH and Sc. sclatch.] A large or solid splash or spatter of mud, etc.; a large or glaring patch of color.
1665. Hooke, Microgr., 3. A great splatch of London dirt.
1671. Skinner, Etymol. Ling. Angl., s.v., A splatch of dirt.
1825. Jamieson, Suppl., A splatch o’ dirt, a clot of mud thrown up in walking or otherwise.
1872. Black, Adv. Phaeton, xiii. 186. Behind us Kidderminster looked like a dusky red splatch in a plain of green.
1891. Columbus (Ohio) Disp., 20 Aug. Masses of ancient trees, through which splatches of color from thatch, tile or gable, hint of quiet village homes.
