sb. Now dial. Also 7 twyng. [Of obscure origin.] A small red spider supposed to be injurious to cattle; cf. TAINT sb. C. 3.
1608. Topsell, Serpents (1658), 770. There is to be found in Harvest-time amongst Pease, Beans, and other sorts of pulse,… certain small Spiders called Kantharidessi Eikela … of a very red and fiery colour, such as we Englishmen call Twinges, by eating or licking up of which, both Oxen and other Beasts do many times die.
1658. Rowland, Moufet’s Theat. Ins., 1060. Small Phalangia … like to beetles, of a flame red colour; such are those the English call Twyngs.
1878. Cumberland Gloss., Twing, a small scarlet-coloured insect, said by the superstitious to occasion fatal illness to cattle.
