Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Turnspit

Turnspit , noun

1.
One who turns a spit; hence, a person engaged in some menial office.
His lordship is his majesty's turnspit. — Burke
2.
(Zoology) A small breed of dogs having a long body and short crooked legs. These dogs were formerly much used for turning a spit on which meat was roasting.