/faw"sit/ , n.
any device for controlling the flow of liquid from a pipe or the like by opening or closing an orifice; tap; cock.
[ 1350-1400; ME fausset peg for a vent, perh. equiv. to fauss ( er ) to force in, damage, warp, lit., to falsify ( falsare; see FALSE) + -et -ET ]
Regional Variation . SPIGOT is a common variant for FAUCET and is widely used in the Midland U.S. Elsewhere, FAUCET is more commonly used, esp. in the Northern U.S.