dis·taff 
(dĭstăf′)
(dĭstăf′)n.
1.
a. A staff that holds on its cleft end the unspun flax, wool, or tow from which thread is drawn in spinning by hand.
b. An attachment for a spinning wheel that serves this purpose.
2. Work and concerns traditionally considered important to women.
3. Women considered as a group.
adj.
1. Of or relating to women and girls; female.
2. Relating to or being the female line or maternal branch of a family.
[Middle English distaf, from Old English distæf : dis-, bunch of flax; akin to Middle Dutch disen, to prepare a distaff with flax; see DIZEN + stæf, staff.]
distaffdistaff with unspun wool and spindle with spun wool