Obs. Also 6 sweake, 7 sweeke. [If the primary sense be ‘swing,’ this word is related to SWEAK v. and to the dial. sweak swing-bar in a fireplace for kettles, etc., swake pump-handle.] Part of a trap for catching birds.
1594. Barnfield, Affect. Sheph. (Arb.), 13. If thou wilt Make pit-falls for the Larke and Pheldifare, Thy prop and sweake shall be both ouer-guilt.
1623. C. Butler, Fem. Mon., vii. (1634), 120. The three sides or parts of the Prop (the Poste, the Sweeke, and the Brace,) are three Stiks: all, almost half an inch broad, and half a quarter of an inch thik. Ibid., 121. First bait the Sweek with a thin piece of good Cheese, or Bacon, or Suet.
