Meaning

noun a clear liquid secreted into the mouth by the salivary glands and mucous glands of the mouth; moistens the mouth and starts the digestion of starches

originTwo main origins: * From Middle English spitel (“lodging house”), an occupational surname for someone who was employed at a lodging house. * Americanized spelling of German Spittel, a metonymic occupational surname for someone who worked in an infirmary, from Middle High German spital (“hospital”).

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0