spence

From Middle English spence, spense, borrowed from Middle French despense, from Medieval Latin dīspēnsa, noun use of feminine of Latin dīspēnsus, past participle of dīspendere (“weigh out”).

spence (plural spences)

(UK, dialect, dated) A buttery or pantry.
- 1906, Enys Tregarthen, North Cornwall Fairies and Legends, page 77:
  'I expect it was a dog which got into the spence and licked up the junket and ate the biscuits,' put in the old turf-cutter. 'I would lock and bar the spence-door, if I were you, the next time I put such nice things in there.'

English