Obs. exc. Hist. Forms: α. 4, 6 spryngalle (5 -al), 4 spryngelle, -ele, 5 -ell; 4 springal (-ol), 4, 6 -all. β. 4–5 spryngald(e (5 -olde), 4–6 (9) springald (5 -alt, -olt). [ad. OF. espringale, -alle (cf. ESPRINGAL), or a. AF. springalde (Anglo-Lat. springaldum), app. f. OF. espringuer SPRING v.1 Hence also MDu. and MHG. springale, MLG. springal.] An engine of the nature of a bow or catapult, used in mediæval warfare for throwing heavy missiles; also, a missile thrown by an engine of this kind.
α. 13[?]. Coer de L., 4346. The Sarezynes … schotte with arweblaste and spryngalles.
c. 1380. Sir Ferumb., 3310. Summe springols stiþe bente, & schute gleyues scherpe.
c. 1410. Master of Game (MS. Digby 182), ii. He smyteth as a stroke of a spryngell, for he hath gret strength in þe hed and in the Body.
1523. Ld. Berners, Froissart, I. cxliv. 172. This castell … was well fortyfied with springalles, bombardes, bowes, and other artillary.
β. 1305–6. in Cat. Doc. rel. Scotl. (1888), 392. Unum springald cum balistis et quarellis.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, XVII. 247. Spryngaldis and schotis … That till defend castell afferis, He purvait.
c. 1400. Rom. Rose, 4191. And eke withynne the castelle were Spryngoldes, gunnes, bows, archers.
1422. in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. II. I. 95. Being at the Siege of Harflewe, there smyten with a Springolt through the hede.
1568. Grafton, Chron., II. 281. This Castell … was well fortefied with Springaldes, Bombardes, Bowes, and other Artillery.
