v. Sc. and north. Forms: 8–9 speave, speeav(e, 9 speav(v, spaive, 7– spave, etc. [Alteration of SPAY v.] trans. To spay. Also intr. Of an animal: To undergo spaying.

1

1671.  Skinner, Etymol. Ling. Angl., To Spay, Spade or Spave.

2

1781.  J. Hutton, Tour Caves (Gloss.), Spraved, gelded, barren.

3

1788.  W. H. Marshall, Yorksh., II. 354. To Speeav (mid. dial. to spave); to spay, as a female calf.

4

1795.  Statist. Acc. Scot., XV. 85. When cut, or spaved, they then with us obtain the name of heifers.

5

1824.  Mactaggart, Gallovid. Encycl., 432. Spaivers, persons who libb and spaive cattle. Ibid. A young cow with calf … will not speave.

6

1825–.  in dial. glossaries (N.Cy., Cumbld., Yks., etc.).

7

1876.  Robinson, Whitby Gloss., 181/1. A speeav’d whye.

8

  Hence Spaver, a spayer.

9

1824.  Mactaggart, Gallovid. Encycl., 372. Few men would I rather spend an hour with than Mr. Papple, the speaver. Ibid., 432 [see above].

10