KIDDLE, or KIDEL, (Kidellus), a dam or weir 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 et Medweyam, et 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 et Medweyam. 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.