Buddle
/ˈbʌdəl/noun
A shallow trough or vat used for washing and separating ore from sediment.
Did you know?A buddle was central to historical ore dressing, where flowing water physically separated heavier mineral particles from lighter dirt—a practical process sometimes associated with alchemical ambitions.
Etymological Timeline
Middle English
English
budelen
“To work or stir material; a possible ancestor proposed for the later mining sense.”
16th Century
English
buddle
“To wash or agitate ore in water; the precise origin is uncertain.”
17th Century
English
buddle
“A shallow vessel or trough used for concentrating ore.”
18th Century
English
buddle
“A standard mining apparatus for separating valuable mineral from earthy waste.”
Modern English
English
buddle
“A historical ore-washing trough or a similar mineral-processing device.”