The Collaborative International Dictionary
Springal \Spring"al\ (spr[i^]ng"al), Springald \Spring"ald\
(spr[i^]ng"ald), Springall \Spring"all\ (spr[i^]ng"al), n.
An active, springy young man. [Obs.] ``There came two
springals of full tender years.''
--Spenser.
Joseph, when he was sold to Potiphar, that great man,
was a fair young springall.
--Latimer.
Wiktionary
n. (context now rare archaic English) A youth; a young man, a stripling.
Wikipedia
A Springald, or espringal, is mechanical artillery device for throwing large bolts and less commonly stones or Greek fire. It is depicted in diagram in an 11th-century Byzantine manuscript, but in Western Europe is more evident in the late 12th century and early 13th century. It was constructed on the same principles as a Greek or Roman ballista, but with inward swinging arms. It was also known as a 'skein-bow', and was a torsion device using twisted skeins of silk or sinew to power two bow-arms.
Examples have been drawn by Leonardo da Vinci, but at a time when he was also drawing powder-propelled weapons. There are no known archaeological finds of parts for these machines but it is highly likely that due to the nature of the materials used then it is probable that some material recycling took place at the time of their demise.
Usage examples of "springald".
In this girl here -- so, this Leigh, Ralph Leigh, Let us hear what counsel the springald gives.
I have promised her a lusty springald with an iron yard as my surrogate, an she will keep tacit about my limitations.
Engine Tower at Criccieth Castle, probably built to house a springald, an engine that used a single bent plank of wood to launch a javelins or firebrands.
The only visible damage to the manor was some broken stones at one corner of the tower where it looked as though a giant beast had nibbled at the masonry, and that was probably the work of the springald that Father Pascal had mentioned, but the oversized cross- bow had obviously broken again and irremediably for Thomas could see it lying in two gigantic pieces in the field beside the tiny stone village church.
They climbed a fence that filled a gap in the thorn hedge, then sprinted past the gaunt shape of the broken springald and the turf-roofed shelters, not caring if they made a noise, and two dogs began to bark, then a third howled at them and a man jumped up from beside the entrance of one of the big tents.
A vicious sound, as the first of the springalds was swiveled around and cut loose.