E. Anglian dial. [ad. OF. espec or especque (mod.Norm. épec, Picard épêque, F. épeiche), ad. MHG. speck, spech, var. of specht SPEIGHT.] A woodpecker.
15[?]. Parl. Byrdes, in Hazl., E. P. P., III. 176. Than in his hole says the Specke [v.r. Woodspecke], I woulde the hauke brake his necke [1847 Halliwell, Woodspack, a woodpecker.]
1855. Norfolk Wds., in Trans. Philol. Soc., 37. Specke.—Woodpecker.
