staves

pl. [STAFF.] †stāves -ā-cre (cre as ker), *stāves -ā-ker, s. [Corrupted from Lat. staph is agria (q. v.).] 1. Bot .: Delphinium staph is agria . 2. Pharm.: The seeds of Delphinium staph is agria. Formerly used as a purgative for dogs, and to destroy vermin in the head. Now sold as a medicine to kill vermin in cattle. "Stave saker! that's good to kill vermin." -Marlowe : Dr. Faustus.