spittlel (spitl)

[Formerly also spettle; a var. of spattle, conformed to the verb: see spattlel, spit2, v.] The mucous substance secreted by the salivary glands; saliva; saliva ejected from the mouth. Owre men, moued with greate hope and hunger of golde, beganne ageine to swalowe downe theyr spettle . Peter Martyr (tr. in Eden's First Books on America, ed. [Arber, p. 118). The Priests abhorre the Sea, as wherein Nilus dieth; and salt is forbiden them, which they call Typhons spittle. Purchas, Pilgrimage, p. 572. To lick the spittle of. See lick . spittle2t, n. See spital .