batlet

plural batlets

1. A short bat for beating clothes when washing them.

   These 'batlets', which had of necessity to be made from well-seasoned wood, were evidently prized household items, often intricately carved on the upper surface.

   1992, Christina Hardyment, Home Comfort: A History of Domestic Arrangements ; in Association with the National Trust

   2 more examples

   Clo[wn]. And I mine: I remember when I was in loue, I broke my ſword vpon a ſtone, and bid him take that for comming a night to Iane Smile, and I remember the kiſſing of her batler [var. batlet], and the Cowes dugs that her prettie chopt hands had milk’d; […]

   c. 1598–1600 (date written), William Shakespeare, “As You Like It”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iv], page 191, column 2

   "If you come between me and my actions again, I will take a batlet to you." He shoved past her so hard that Dougless nearly fell against the wall, and she watched with a heavy heart as he strode angrily down the path and out through the door ...

   2012, Jude Deveraux, A Knight in Shining Armor, Simon and Schuster, →ISBN, page 258

   Synonyms: batling staff, batting staff, battledore, clap staff, fuller’s beetle, laundry bat, washing bat, washing beetle