see quots. and VALENTIA.

1

1823.  E. Moor, Suffolk Wds., s.v. Valentia,… I have met with the word in print, spelled Valinch.

2

1847.  Webster, Valinch, a tube for drawing liquors from a cask by the bung-hole.

3

1868.  Loftus’ Catal. Hydrometers, etc., 6. Velinchers for sampling casks.

4

1875.  Knight, Dict. Mech., 2553. Thief-tube,… a sampling-tube; a velinche.

5

1899.  N. & Q., 4 Feb., 97/1. The nearest approach to a ‘long’ measure is the valincher, or valinch, used in sampling ‘from the bung.’

6