[spat] past and past part of spit
[2]spat n, pl spat or spats [origin unknown] (1667): a young bivalve (as an oyster) [3]spat n [short for spatterdash legging] (ca. 1802): a cloth or leather gaiter covering the instep and ankle [4]spat n [origin unknown] (1804) 1: a brief petty quarrel or angry outburst
2. chiefly dial: slap
3: a sound like that of rain falling in large drops [5]spat vb spat.ted ; spat.ting vt (ca. 1832) chiefly dial: slap ~ vi 1: to quarrel pettily or briefly
2: to strike with a sound like that of rain falling in large drops