English

handspike

From hand + spike.

A compound of hand + spike

Proto-Germanic *handuz

Proto-West Germanic *handu

Old English hand

Middle English hond

English hand

Proto-Indo-European *spey- ‘to be pointed’

Proto-Germanic *spīkō ‘stick, splinter, point’

Old Norse spík ‘spike, sprig’

Middle English spike

English spike

Today it means

noun A bar or lever, generally of wood, used in a windlass or capstan, for heaving anchor, and, in modified forms, for various purposes.

Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.

Etymograph / handspike