turnspit

noun

turn·​spit ˈtərn-ˌspit 

1

a

: one that turns a spit

specifically : a small dog formerly used in a treadmill to turn a spit

b

: a roasting jack

2

: a rotatable spit

Examples of turnspit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In England the practice was so common that a special breed was developed to handle this duty: a turnspit dog. —Andrew Amelinckx, Smithsonian, 19 Sep. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a