DISTAFF

I. noun (plural ~s) Etymology: Middle English distaf, from Old English distæf, from dis- (akin to Middle Low German dise bunch of flax) + stæf staff Date: before 12th century 1. a staff for holding the flax, tow, or wool in spinning, woman's work or domain, the female branch or side of a family, II. adjective Date: circa 1633 maternal 2 , female 1