WHIPPLETREE

Whip″ple‐tree′ (?), n. [[See Whip, and cf. Whiffletree.]] 1. 1. The pivoted or swinging bar to which the traces, or tugs, of a harness are fastened, and by which a carriage, a plow, or other implement or vehicle, is drawn; a whiffletree; a swingletree; a singletree. See Singletree.
cut their own whippletree in the woodlot. Emerson. 2. 2. (Bot.) The cornel tree. Chaucer.