[? f. SPRING sb.1 9.] A thatching rod.
1829. Loudon, Encycl. Plants, 793. The plant [hazel] is of some value for hoops,… wattling-fences, and springles to fasten down thatch.
1841. Hartshorne, Salop. Ant., Gloss., Springle, a rod four feet long, generally of hazle or the mountain ash, used in thatching.
1876–. in dial. use (Hereford, Essex, Shropsh., Herts.).
