Obs. exc. Hist. Forms: 4 styk(e, 5 steke, 6 sticke, stykke, 7– stick. [First in the Anglo-L. forms stica, sticha, sticka, estika; it is not clear whether the word thus latinized was English (= STICK sb.1) or OF. *estike from a continental form of the same word.
Cf. MLG. sticke in ‘xx sticken anguillarum’ (Werden Tax Roll). The use no doubt arose from the practice of carrying a number of eels on a stick passed through the gills.]
A measure of quantity in small eels (app. twenty-five or twenty-six). Also Comb. stick-eel, an eel of small size.
1086. Domesday Bk. (1783), I. 1. In Linnuartlest in brisennei habet rex consuetudinem . scilicet . ii . caretas . & ii. sticas anguillarum. Ibid., 155. Piscator redd. xxx. stichas anguillarum.
1244. Liberate Roll, Nov., 28. Quod … emi faciat … .x. milia stickarum anguillarum bone salicionis.
1290. in Archæologia, XV. 352. Pro v. estik’ anguill’ ijs.
1390–1. Earl Derby’s Exped. (Camden), 20. Et per manus Thome Fyssher pro xlviij styks anguillarum. Ibid., 29. Pro j styke di. anguillarum, xiiij d.
1343. Durham Acc. Rolls (Surtees), 39. In 260 Stykell et anguill. grossis, 3s. 6d.
1481–90. Howard Househ. Bks. (Roxb.), 143. For vj. stekes of smale elle xxvj. to the steke ij.s. vj.d.
1510–1. Durham Acc. Rolls (Surtees), 661. Preter 12 lupos aquaticos et duos stickes anguillarum.
1664. Spelman, Gloss., s.v. Brochus, A stick of Eels.
1775. B.N.C. Muniments 20. 28, Kent (MS.). [Tenant to have] the yearly dues of days of work, sticks of eeles, eggs, hens, Cocks,… and plowsheards.
a. 1728. [see BIND sb. 5].
