Main Entry: ¹es·pal·ier

Pronunciation: \is-ˈpal-yər, -ˌyā\

Function: noun

Etymology: French, ultimately from Italian spalla shoulder, from Late Latin spatula shoulder blade — more at epaulet

Date: 1662

1 : a plant (as a fruit tree) trained to grow flat against a support (as a wall)
2 : a railing or trellis on which fruit trees or shrubs are trained to grow flat