Also 7 sploch, sploach. [Of obscure origin; perh. merely imitative.] A large irregular spot or patch of light, color, or the like; a blot, smear or stain. Also fig.
1601. Holland, Pliny, II. 266. Betonie is a soueraigne herbe … for the blacke sploches that haue continued a long time vpon the skin.
1673. Wycherley, Gentl. Dancing-Master, V. i. Thou spot, sploach of my family and blood!
1683. Moxon, Mech. Exerc., Printing, xxiv. ¶ 10. If … the Leather … be Black and White in Splotches.
1755. Gentl. Mag., XXV. 373. See, from thy bite rise blister’d blotches, And from thy ordure filthy splotches.
1812. Sir R. Wilson, Priv. Diary (1862), I. 247. During my progress, the carter’s nose twice froze in splotches as big as half-a-crown.
1863. Miss Braddon, Eleanor’s Victory, I. v. 111. The leaves were crumpled, and smeared with stains and splotches of grease.
1885. Lady Brassey, The Trades, 145. Their dark-brown leaves, covered with bright splotches of red and yellow.
