Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Spoke \Spoke\, n. [OE. spoke, spake, AS, sp[=a]ca; akin to D.
   speek, LG. speke, OHG. speihha, G. speiche. [root]170. Cf.
   {Spike} a nail.]
   1. The radius or ray of a wheel; one of the small bars which
      are inserted in the hub, or nave, and which serve to
      support the rim or felly.

   2. (Naut.) A projecting handle of a steering wheel.

   3. A rung, or round, of a ladder.

   4. A contrivance for fastening the wheel of a vehicle, to
      prevent it from turning in going down a hill.

   {To put a spoke in one's wheel}, to thwart or obstruct one in
      the execution of some design.