Naut. Obs. [Of obscure origin; partly confused with SPILL v.] (See quots.)

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c. 1635.  Capt. N. Boteler, Dial. Sea Service (1685), 167. Take in the Missen-mast; or at the least, Peek it up; which Peeking up, is called Spelling the Missen.

2

1704.  J. Harris, Lex. Techn., I. Spell, a Sea Word signifying to let go the Sheats and Bowlings of a Sail, (chiefly the Missen) and Bracing the weather Brace in the Wind, that the Sail may lie loose in the Wind.

3

1711.  [see SPEEK v.2].

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