KIDDLE, or KIDEL, (Kidellus), a dam or wear in a river with a narrow cut in it, for the laying of pots or other engines to catch fish.
The word is ancient; for in Magna Charta, cap. 24. we read, Omnes kidelli deponantur per Thamesiam & Medwayam, & per totam Angliam, nisi per costeram maris. And by king John's charter, power was granted to the city of London, de kidellis amovendis per Thamesiam & Medwayam. A survey was ordered to be made of the wears, mills, flanks, and kidells, in the great rivers of England, 1 Hen. IV. Fishermen of late corruptly call these dams kettles; and they are much used in Wales and on the sea-coasts of Kent.