Obs. or arch. Also 6 speler. [Aphetic f. ESPELER.] (See quots. and SPILLER2.)
1576. Turberv., Venerie, 238. In a Bucke we say, Burre, Beame, Branche, Aduauncers, Pawlme, and Spelers.
1611. Cotgr., Espois d’un cerf, the top of a red Deeres head; of a fallow, the Spellers.
1632. Guillim’s Heraldry, III. xiv. (ed. 2), 179. Skilfull Wood-men describing … a bucks head … say … Spellers. [Similarly in other writers.]
1659. Torriano, Spéssi,… those sharp hornes on the top of a Deers Antler called the Spellers.
1686. Plot, Staffordsh., 200. Whereof some of the blades are curled round, divided and jagged like the Spellers of a Bucks-head.
[1857. Fraser’s Mag., LVI. 211. The advancer, palm, and spellers or spillers.]
