Also 6, 8 tutt, 7 tit, toyte, 8–9 toit. [There is perh. more than one word here. Of the origin nothing has been ascertained.]
1. Each of a number of objects set up as ‘bases’ in rounders or similar games; also (in pl.), a kind of stool-ball in which the player at each base must move to the next base each time the ball is struck; also called tut-ball; also the game of rounders. local.
1519. in Priory of Hexham (Surtees), II. 157. Ludi inhonesti, prout pililudus pedalis, et manualis, viz. tuttes, et handball ac Pennyston.
c. 1572. Gascoigne, Fruites of Warre, xciv. Yet haue I shot at maister Bellums butte And throwen his ball although I toucht no tutte, I haue percase as deeply dealt the dole As he that hit the marke and gat the gole.
1655. Clarke, Phraseol. Puerilis, 141 (Halliw.).
1777. Horæ Subsecivæ (MS.) 443 (E.D.D.). Tut, a sort of stool ball much practised about the Easter holidays, particularly at Exeter.
1877. Holderness Gloss., Tut-ball,… a very ancient game,… elsewhere called stool-ball.
1883. Jackson & Burne, Shropsh. Folk-Lore, 524. Tut-ball…. One of the players in the den … hit back the ball with the palm of the hand, and immediately ran to one of three brick-bats, called ‘tuts’—which were set up at equal distances.
2. western dial. ‘A small seat or hassock made of straw; a cushion or hassock for kneeling upon’ (Eng. Dial. Dict.).
1553. Bradford, Serm. Repent. (1574), F j. Oh hard harts that we haue, which make tuts for syn.
1637. Churchw. Acc. Cheddle (Davies). Paid for a tut for him that drawes the bellowes of the orgaines to sit upon.
1637–8. Hartland (Devon) Church Acc., in Chope, Hartland Gloss., s.v. Toyte, Paid John Couch for a toyte for Mr. Churton to kneele upon 4 d. Ibid. (1647–8). Paid for a tit for the minister 2 d.
1751–2. E. Budleigh Churchw. Acc., in Rep. Devonsh. Provinc., July (1902), (E.D.D.). For three tutts for the parson, 1 s.
1786. Pilton Churchw. Acc., in Notes & Gleanings (Exeter), II. 37/2. Pd for a Toit for the Minister’s Dusk [sic].
b. transf. as a butchers’ term: = CUSHION sb. 4 a.
1856. Farmer’s Mag., Jan., 55/1. Wide fore-quarter … not quite matched by … the hind-quarters, the flank and tut being rather deficient.
† 3. The orb borne as an emblem of sovereignty. Obs. rare–0.
1674. Blount, Glossogr. (ed. 4), Tut … a globe or ball, with a golden cross on it, anciently carried by Emperours and Kings.
1706. Phillips (ed. Kersey), Tut, or Mound, an Imperial Ensign of a Golden Globe, with a Cross on it.
