/shpet"sleuh, -seuhl, -slee/ , n.
a dish consisting of lumps or threads made from a batter of flour, milk, eggs, and salt, usually poured through a coarse colander into boiling water, and then either drained and mixed in butter, lightly pan-fried, or added to sauces, stews, etc.
[ Spätzle, dim. of Spatz dumpling, sparrow, MHG, deriv. of spar SPARROW ]