What is "shaftment"

Shaftman \Shaft"man\, Shaftment \Shaft"ment\, n. [AS. sceaftmund.] A measure of about six inches. [Obs.]

n. 1 A span; a measure of about six inches. 2 A unit of length, 6 - 6½ inches or 2 palms, i.e. 15.24 cm, the width of the fist and outstretched thumb of a standard archer.

The shaftment is a unit of length, 6 - 6½ inches or 2 palms, i.e. 15.24 cm. A shaftment is the width of the fist and outstretched thumb. The lengths of poles, staves, etc. can be easily measured by grasping the bottom of the staff with thumb extended and repeating such hand over hand grips along the length of the staff.