n. & v.
n. 1 a a reel for winding magnetic tape, photographic film, etc., on. b a reel for winding yarn or US thread on. c a quantity of tape, yarn, etc., wound on a spool. 2 the revolving cylinder of an angler's reel.
v.tr. wind on a spool.
[ ME f. OF espole or f. MLG spole, MDu. spoele, OHG spuolo, of unkn. orig. ]