Obs. rare. Also vespilone. [a. L. vespillōn-, vespillo (also vespa), acc. to Festus f. vesper evening. So obs. F. vespillon.] (See quot. 1656.)
1631. Weever, Anc. Funeral Mon., iii. 11. Such as … were of high parentage … were buried in the euening by certaine men who had that charge, who were called Vespillons. Ibid., iv. 12. Such … were buried in the night time, by the Vespillons clothed all in white.
1643. Sir T. Browne, Relig. Med., I. § 38. By raking into the bowells of the deceased, continuall sight of Anatomies, Skeletons, or Cadaverous reliques, like Vespilloes, or Grave-makers.
1656. Blount, Glossogr., Vespilone, he that carries forth dead bodies in the night to be buried, as they use in time of plague and great sickness.
