Coal-mining. Also footrail, futteril. [Of unknown etymology: cf. prec.] (See quots.)
1686. Plot, Staffordsh., iii. 129. The open works at Wednesbury seem to be of this kind, where there being but little earth lying over the measures of coal, the Workmen rid off the earth, and dig the coal under their feet and carry it out in wheel-barrows, there being no need for these, of windless, roap, or carf, whence these sort of Coale-works are commonly call’d Foot-ridds, or Footrills.
1883. Gresley, Gloss. Coal Mining, Footrill, Futteril, and Footrail, the entrance to a mine by means of a level driven into a hill-side, or a dip road, up which coal is brought.
1885. Sheffield Daily Tel., 30 June. Four Shafts and a Footrill have been sunk to the Coal.
