wash-pit

1) A place in a brook where sheep might be washed.

1647 June 26 after diner I went to the wash pitt where Wm Wordsworth and Geo Morton were washing Winleden sheep, Thurlstone. Washpit is a minor place-name in Holmfirth and the similar names Wash Dike and Wash Dub probably share this origin. There is a very early reference to the practice: 1307 Shepewesshe ... Schepewassegrene, Hepworth.

dates 1307 1647

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