malkin

Mal"kin, n. Etym: [Dim. of Maud, the proper name. Cf. Grimalkin.] [Written also maukin.] 1. Originally, a kitchenmaid; a slattern. Chaucer. 2. A mop made of clouts, used by the kitchen servant. 3. A scarecrow.[Prov. Eng.] 4. (Mil.) Defn: A mop or sponge attached to a jointed staff for swabbing out a cannon.

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