battledore

 
Pronunciation: /ˈbat(ə)ldɔː/

noun

historical
  • 1 (also battledore and shuttlecock) [mass noun] a game played with a shuttlecock and rackets, a forerunner of badminton.
  • [count noun] the small racket used in the game of battledore.
  • 2a wooden paddle-shaped implement formerly used in washing clothes for beating and stirring.

Origin:

late Middle English (in battledore (sense 2)): perhaps from Provençal batedor 'beater', from batre 'to beat'