vbl. sb. Now arch. [f. SPAWL v.]

1

  1.  The action of the vb.; expectoration.

2

1609.  Dekker, Gull’s Horn-bk., Wks. (Grosart), II. 207. The manner of spawling, slauering, spetting and driueling in all places.

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1684.  trans. Bonet’s Merc. Compit., XIX. 799. A spontaneous Salivation or spawling preceeds Vomiting.

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1727.  De Foe, Protestant Monast., 10. His spitting and spawling turn’d Madam’s Stomach.

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1753.  Miss Collier, Art Torment., Concl. 228. The constant drumming upon the table … of another! The hawking and spawlting [sic] of a third!

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1881.  Duffield, Don Quix., II. 577. By his spawling and clearing his throat [he] is preparing to sing something.

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  attrib.  1608.  Sylvester, Du Bartas, II. iv. IV. Decay, 166. A Visard, newly varnisht o’r With spauling Rheums, hot Fumes, and Ceruses.

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1628.  Gaule, Pract. The. (1629), 335. Spite contemnes him, He’s made their flapping, flouting, spawling Sport.

9

  2.  pl. Spittle, spittings, saliva.

10

1614.  Sylvester, Tobacco Battered, Wks. (Grosart), II. 270. A Drug for Jews … who did so foule abuse … with their Spawlings base, Our loving Saviour’s lovely-reverend Face. Ibid., 274. How juster will the Heav’nly God … punish … Those, that on Earth … Offend the Eyes, with foul and loathsom spawlings.

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1693.  Congreve, in Dryden’s Juvenal, xi. 290. Whose Marble Floors with drunken Spawlings shine; Let him lascivious Songs and Dances have.

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