[f. TREADLE sb.]
1. intr. To work a treadle; to move the feet as if doing this; also, of a cyclist: to make one’s way by treadling or pedalling one’s cycle: also trans. with way. Hence Treadling vbl. sb.
1891. T. Hardy, Tess, xxxv. In the strenuousness of his concentration he treadled fitfully on the floor.
1891. Daily News, 7 Sept., 6/3. Two or three of these persecutor-cyclists were quietly treadling about the town as early as eight in the morning. Ibid. (1896), 25 July, 8/1. We treadled our way swiftly through the streets. Ibid. (1912), 21 March, 5. A little weakness which makes it difficult to do much treadling.
2. trans. To operate (a machine) by working a treadle.
1906. H. Begbie, Priest, xvi. You’d be in Queer Street, treadling a sewing-machine for eighteen pence a day.
Hence Treadler, one who treadles.
Treadler’s cramp, cramp of the legs affecting persons engaged in working treadle-machines.
1880. Brownstown (IN) Banner, 20 May, 1/4. Our new Job Press has been in almost constant motion ever since we set it up, and our hair-clipped pressman, Tude Cox, has become quite proficient as a treadle treadler.
1891. Lancet, 14 Feb., 410/1. Medical Society of London…. A case of Treadler’s Cramp.
1899. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., VIII. 15. The lameness and the ‘treadler’s cramp’ appeared simultaneously.
