damsel

1) An implement used in the textile trade but of uncertain meaning. It was associated with and possibly part of the bartrees, as a hand-loom accessory.

1576 one Lome Damyselles Bartrees Horne Wheile and all other thynges therunto belongyng, Leeds

1630 a pair of bartrees and damsel, Leeds. Under the headword ‘maiden’, the OED quotes a.1688 ‘The Maidens or Damsels, the two stands in which the Spindle turns’.

places Leeds
dates 1576 1630

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