v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Spanked p. pr. & vb. n. Spanking. ] [ Of unknown origin; cf. LG. spakken, spenkern, to run and spring about quickly. ] To strike, as the breech, with the open hand; to slap. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A blow with the open hand; a slap. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To move with a quick, lively step between a trot and gallop; to move quickly. Thackeray. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who spanks, or anything used as an instrument for spanking. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Naut.) The after sail of a ship or bark, being a fore-and-aft sail attached to a boom and gaff; -- sometimes called driver. See Illust. under Sail. Totten. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. One who takes long, quick strides in walking; also, a fast horse. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Something very large, or larger than common; a whopper, as a stout or tall person. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Spanker boom (Naut.), a boom to which a spanker sail is attached. See Illust. of Ship. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A small coin. [ Obs. or Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Moving with a quick, lively pace, or capable of so doing; dashing. [ 1913 Webster ]

Four spanking grays ready harnessed. G. Colman, the Younger. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Large; considerable. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Very; extremely; -- used especially in the phrase spanking new or brand spanking new, meaning completely new and unused. [ informal ] [ PJC ]

(Naut.), a strong breeze. [ 1913 Webster ]