Skain

n. [Commonly written skein.] [O. Fr. escaigne, eschlaigne, N. Fr. écagne, Ir. sgainne, Gael. sgeinn, sgeinnidh.] A knot of thread, yarn, or silk, or a number of knots collected; a skein. See SKEIN.

n. A kind of short sword or knife; a skean. See SKEAN. “And for their weapons had but Irish skains and darts.” Drayton.