[ 'dɪstα:f ]
■ noun
1》 a stick or spindle on to which wool or flax is wound for spinning.
2》 [as modifier ] denoting or concerning women: a family tree on the ~ side. Compare with spear (in sense 3).
Origin
OE distæf : the first element is appar. related to Mid. Low Ger. dise , disene '~, bunch of flax'; the second is staff 1 .