Obs. Also 4–5, 7 spatle, 5 spatel. [OE. spátlian (more commonly spǽtlan, -ian), f. spátl SPATTLE sb.1] intr. and trans. To spit. Also with out.
c. 1000. Ælfric, Voc., in Wr.-Wülcker, 162. Pitisso, ic spatliʓe.
c. 1325. Old Age, in E. E. P. (1862), 149. I spitte, i spatle, in speche i sporne.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron. Wace (Rolls), 8196 [The dragons] Spatled, spouted, belewed, & byten.
c. 1450. Lydg., Secrees, 1416. Erthe, Autumpnus, and Age accordyn in oon, Slough, malencolye, spatlyng euere among.
a. 1470. H. Parker, Dives & Pauper (W. de W., 1496), VIII. xiv. 341/1. I suffered to be beten and bounde, to be spateled and despysed.
1538. Bale, Thre Lawes, 444. I can werke wyles in battle, If I do ones but spattle.
1554. Philpot, Examin. & Writ. (Parker Soc.), 313. I would I had a fountain of spittle to spattle on them.
1601. Dent, Pathw. Heaven (1617), 160. Would to God … that we were come to such a … loathing of lying, that we should euen spattle at it!
1611. Cotgr., Cracher, to spit; spawle; spattle, bespatter. Ibid., Craché, spet, or spatled out.
