Also 4–5 astell(e, -yl. [a. OF. astelle, astele, splinter, splint, shingle, thin board:—late L. hastella a thin stick, dim. of hasta spear, shaft.]
† 1. A slip of wood; a splinter, a chip; split wood.
a. 1330. Sir Otuel, 1547. With a nastell schide he slewe þam doun.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 16. Astelle, a schyyd (v.r. astyl schyde) Teda, astula.
1472. Paston Lett., 710, III. 71. Make fagottes and astell and lete alle your grete … trees stande.
2. Mining. ‘A board or plank, an arch or ceiling of boards, over the men’s head in a mine, to protect them.’ Weale, Dict. Terms.
