Dev. and Cornw. dial. [Variant of SPAR sb.4] A thatching rod. Also attrib.
1837. J. F. Palmer, Dialogue Dev. Dial., Gloss. 84. Spears or Spear-sticks, the pointed sticks, doubled and twisted, used for thatching.
1891. Hartland Gloss., s.v., Slatting … shoots of withy or nut-halse by means of a spear-hook, which is like a narrow-bladed bill-hook.
1899. Bourne, Billy Bray, 55 (E.D.D.). I told the farmer to bring three hundred sheaves [of reed]…, and some spears for them.
