n. 1. One who, or that which, spans. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. The lock of a fusee or carbine; also, the fusee or carbine itself. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]
3. An iron instrument having a jaw to fit a nut or the head of a bolt, and used as a lever to turn it with; a wrench; specifically, a wrench for unscrewing or tightening the couplings of hose. [ Chiefly British usage ] [ 1913 Webster ]
4.pl. A contrivance in some of the earlier steam engines for moving the valves for the alternate admission and shutting off of the steam. [ 1913 Webster ]