I. ˈtre-d ə l noun
Etymology: Middle English tredel step of a stair, from Old English, from tredan
Date: 15th century
: a swiveling or lever device pressed by the foot to drive a machine
II. verb
( trea·dled ; trea·dling ˈtred-liŋ, ˈtre-d ə l-iŋ)
Date: 1891
intransitive verb
: to operate a treadle
transitive verb
: to operate (as a machine) by a treadle