n. 1 Brit. colloq. (esp. as a term of endearment) a small or dainty person. 2 (in full poppet-head) the head of a lathe. 3 a small square piece of wood fitted inside the gunwale or washstrake of a boat. poppet-head Brit. the frame at the top of a mine-shaft supporting pulleys for the ropes used in hoisting. poppet-valve Engin. a mushroom-shaped valve, lifted bodily from its seat rather than hinged.
[ ME popet(te), ult. f. L pup(p)a: cf. PUPPET ]