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Webster 1913 Edition

Noun.

One who turns a spit; hence, a person engaged in some menial office.

His lordship is his majesty’s

turnspit

Burke.

(Zool.)

A small breed of dogs having a long body and short crooked legs. These dogs were formerly much used for turning a spit on which meat was roasting.

Noun.

[turn and spit.] A person who turns a spit.

His lordship is his majesty's turnspit.

A variety of the dog, so called from turning the spit.

turnspit ‎(plural turnspits)

A person employed in turning a spit for the purpose of roasting meat.
(archaic) A short-legged, long-bodied dog, now extinct, bred to run on a wheel to turn a spit.