turnspit

[ turn-spit ]

/ ˈtɜrnˌspɪt /

a spit that rotates or can be rotated.

a mechanically or manually operated device for turning a spit on which meat is roasted.

a person who turns a spit.

a small dog having a long body and short legs, used formerly to work a treadmill that turned a spit.

Origin of turnspit

First recorded in 1570–80; turn + spit²

With disparaging magnanimity in victory, Henry took Simnel into his kitchens as a turnspit.

The Best of Brit Lit |Peter Stothard |February 2, 2011 |DAILY BEAST
So it has probably been with the turnspit dog; and this is known to have been the case with the ancon sheep.

On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection |Charles Darwin
As for the turnspit, he ran after the chariot, and got so covered with mud that one could hardly see what he was like at all.

The Blue Fairy Book |Various
Buffon calls the turnspit the Basset à jambes torses, but some of the breed are said to have straight legs.

Anecdotes of Dogs |Edward Jesse

Reform was foiled, as Burke put it, because the turnspit in the king's kitchen was a member of parliament.

The English Utilitarians, Volume I. |Leslie Stephen
Simnel (p. 348) was pardoned, and employed by Henry as a turnspit in his kitchen.

A Student's History of England, v. 1 (of 3) |Samuel R. Gardiner.

turnspit

/ (ˈtɜːnˌspɪt) /

(formerly) a servant or small dog whose job was to turn the spit on which meat, poultry, etc, was roasting

a spit that can be so turned