[f. SPOUT v.]
1. The blow-hole or spiracle of a whale or other cetacean.
1694. Narborough, Voy., II. 126. He hath a Spouthole on his Head … like a Whale.
1725. Phil. Trans., XXXIII. 261. Their Way of Breathing is by two Spout-Holes in the Top of the Head. Ibid. (1770), LX. 322. The spout-hole … appeared to be provided with a sphincter.
1840. F. D. Bennett, Narr. Whaling Voy., II. 151. One of this species … expanded its spout-hole, and produced a sucking sound on inspiration.
1845. J. Coulter, Adv. in Pacific, ii. 12. Whales of every kind blowing the water from their spout-holes.
2. A natural opening in rocks through which the sea spouts.
1849. Dana, Geol., 272. Some of the spout-holes of Koloa are unusually grand.
3. Mining. A short siding or narrow heading.
1883. Gresley, Gloss. Coal-mining, 232.
