staddle noun & verb. ['stad(ǝ)l] Also steddle.
[Old English staÞol base, support, tree-trunk, fixed position = Old Frisian stathul, Old Saxon staÞal standing, Old High German stadal barn (German dial. Stadel), Old Norse stǫðull milking-place, from Germanic from base of STAND verb: see -LE¹.]
A. noun.
1. A foundation. (lit. & fig.) OE-ME.

2. A platform or framework of timber, stone, etc., supporting a stack or rick; (in full staddle-stone) each of the mushroom-shaped stones used to raise a stack, rick, granary, etc., from the ground, esp. to deter rodents; gen. a supporting framework. LME.
b. The lower part of a stack of corn, hay, etc. Now dial. L15.

3. A young tree left standing when others are cut down; dial. the root or stump of a felled or coppiced tree. M16.
b. A tree-trunk, a staff. rare (Spenser). Only in L16.

4. A mark, an impression, esp. one left by a body lying on a surface; a scar. dial. L17.
b. verb trans.
1. Provide with staddles; cut (a wood) so as to leave some young trees standing. dial. L16.

2. Stain, mark, leave an impression on. dial. E19.

■ staddling noun (now dial.) (materials forming) the support or foundation of a stack, rick, etc. LME.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲