SPIT

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Old English ~u; akin to Old High German spiz ~, spizzi pointed Date: before 12th century a slender pointed rod for holding meat over a fire, a small point of land especially of sand or gravel running into a body of water, II. transitive verb (~ted; ~ting) Date: 13th century to fix on or as if on a ~ ; impale , III. verb (~ or spat; ~ting) Etymology: Middle English ~ten, from Old English ~tan; akin to Middle High German spiutzen to ~ Date: before 12th century transitive verb 1. to eject (as saliva) from the mouth ; expectorate , b. to express (unpleasant or malicious feelings) by or as if by ~ting, to utter with a ~ting sound or scornful expression , to emit as if by ~ting, to set to burning , intransitive verb 1. a. to eject saliva as an expression of aversion or contempt, to exhibit contempt, to eject matter (as saliva) from the mouth ; expectorate , to rain or snow slightly or in flurries, to make a noise suggesting expectoration ; sputter , IV. noun Date: 14th century 1. a. ~tle , saliva , the act or an instance of ~ting, b. a frothy secretion exuded by ~tlebugs, ~tlebug , perfect likeness, a sprinkle of rain or flurry of snow