early 14c., related to M.Du. spoiten "to spout," N.Fris. spütji "spout, squirt," Swed. sputa "to spout," and probably M.Du. spuwen "to spit" (see
spew). Meaning "to talk, declaim" is recorded from 1610s. The noun is first recorded late 14c. It was the slang term for the