throstle Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a spinning machine formerly used to twist and wind fibers of cotton or wool continuously
  2. noun common Old World thrush noted for its song
    mavis; song thrush; Turdus philomelos.

WordNet

Thros"tle noun
Etymology
OE. throsel, AS. rostle, rosle; akin to MHG. trostel, G. drossel, Icel. röstr, Sw. trast, Lith. strazdas, L. turdus. *238. Cf. Thrush the bird.
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) The song thrush. See under Song.
  2. A machine for spinning wool, cotton, etc., from the rove, consisting of a set of drawing rollers with bobbins and flyers, and differing from the mule in having the twisting apparatus stationary and the processes continuous; -- so called because it makes a singing noise.

Webster 1913