An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

1. A rounded rod, usually of wood, tapering toward each end, used in hand-spinning to twist into thread the fibers drawn from the mass on the distaff, and on which the thread is wound as it is spun (Dictionary.com).
   

2. → Spindle Galaxy.

Etymology (EN): M.E. spindel, O.E. spin(e)l, from spinnan, → spin.

Etymology (PE): Duk “spindle,” variants dêk, dik, ultimately from Proto-Ir. *dau- “to run;” cf. Pers. dow-, davidan “to run” (Cheung 2007).