/span"seuhl/ , n. , v. , spanceled, spanceling or ( esp. Brit. ) spancelled, spancelling .
n.
1. a noosed rope with which to hobble an animal, esp. a horse or cow.
v.t.
2. to fetter with or as with a spancel.
[ 1600-10; spansel, deriv. of spannen to stretch; see SPAN 2 ]