swingle

An implement used to separate the fibres of flax by beating them; a scutch.

The swinging part of a flail, especially that which is used on the grain in threshing; the swipple.

The pole of the Chinese flail is roughly 90 cm. long, the swingle about 30 cm. in length, joined to the pole by a wooden axle projecting at right-angles from the top of the swingle and passing through a loop at the top of the pole[…]

(A flail swingle was a large wooden handle attached to a freeswinging stick, which was used in threshing grain.)

To beat or flog, especially for extracting the fibres from flax stalks; to scutch.

Now after you have swingled your Hempe and Flaxe ouer once, you shall take and shake up the refuse stuffe, which you beate from the same seuerally, and not only it, but the tops and knots, and halfe brak't buns which fall from the brake also, and drying them againe cause them to bee very well thresht with flayles, and then mixing them with th refuse which fell from the swingle tree, dresse them all well with threshing and shaking, till the buns be cleane driuen out of them;

The instruments necessary to swingle flax are, a tressel, and a swingle.

To dangle; to wave hanging.

To swing for pleasure.