Spen"cer (?), n. [OF. despensier.
See Spence, and cf. Dispenser.] One who has the
care of the spence, or buttery. [Obs.] Promptorium
Parvulorum.
Spen"cer, n. [From the third Earl
Spencer, who first wore it, or brought it into fashion.] A
short jacket worn by men and by women. Ld. Lutton.
Spen"cer, n. (Naut.) A fore-
and-aft sail, abaft the foremast or the mainmast, hoisted upon a small
supplementary mast and set with a gaff and no boom; a trysail carried
at the foremast or mainmast; -- named after its inventor, Knight
Spencer, of England [1802].
Spencer mast, a small mast just abaft the
foremast or mainmast, for hoisting the spencer. R. H. Dana,
Jr.