spread v
1 To place split and salted cod-fish on a flat expanse, usu a 'flake,' turning it at intervals to dry by exposure to sun and wind; DRY1, TURN v.
[1726] 1976 HEAD 73-4 As they catch the fish they Split them & Salt 'em then lay 'em down in the Ships hold, where they lay till they goe into the Harbour, then they take them out & Spread them upon the Fleakes. [1766] 1971 BANKS 135 When the Fish are tolerably dry they Put them in Round Piles of 8 or ten Quintals Each Covering them on the top with bark in these Piles they remain 3 or 4 days or a week to sweat after which they are again Spread & when dry Put up in Larger heaps Coverd with Canvass. [1774] 1792 CARTWRIGHT ii, 17 The people were employed on the buildings, and in spreading fish. [1856] 1976 WHITELEY 122 Fine day-spread fish to dry. 1895 Christmas Rev, 12 [proverb] The planter's eye spreads the 'water horse.' [1900 OLIVER & BURKE] 69 He wants a wife can spread the fish. 1924 ENGLAND 267 There they labour all day, making up the fish, carrying it on dredge barrows, spreading and turning it; while along the stages 'headers' and 'splitters' are busily at work. 1958 Evening Telegram 11 Feb Maud Muller on that summer's day / Spread the fish instead of the hay, / And she looked up as the sun grew duller. / And she thought about the government culler. T 43--64 Well, then you'd spread that an' you'd come back an' get another barrowful an' take that out an' spread it, so it was a good life. 1979 TIZZARD 294 If it was late in the day when the fish was washed it would remain on the barrow in the stage all night to be spread on the flakes at sun-up the next day.
2 To stretch an animal skin on a wooden frame to dry.
[1771] 1792 CARTWRIGHT i, 125 I killed a pair of shell-birds; skinned and spread an otter.
3 Comb spread-sail punt: small undecked boat with sail supported by a pole instead of gaff or boom (1975 BUTLER 55, 160).
