[ ɪ'spaljə , ɛ- ]
■ noun a fruit tree or ornamental shrub whose branches are trained to grow flat against a wall.
■ verb train (a tree or shrub) in such a way.
Origin
C17: from Fr., from Ital. spalliera , from spalla 'shoulder', from L. spatula (see spatula ), in late L. 'shoulder blade'.