spitstick

noun

spit·stick

ˈspitˌstik

variants or spitsticker

-kə(r)

: a graver that is used especially to outline designs

: a small pointed chisel (as for making very small sloping cuts between the stones of a setting)

Word History

Etymology

spitstick alteration (influenced by stick) of spitsticker, from Dutch spitssteker, from spits pointed (from Middle Dutch, from Middle High German spiz, spitze, from Old High German spizzi) + steker graver, one that pricks or thrusts, from Middle Dutch, jouster, from steken to sting, prick, thrust + -er; akin to Old High German stehhan to sting, prick