The muster at night time of witches and demons to concoct
mischief. The witch first anointed her feet and shoulders with the fat
of a murdered babe, then mounting a broom-stick, distaff, or rake,
made her exit by the chimney, and rode through the air to the place of
rendezvous. The assembled witches feasted together, and concluded with
a dance, in which they all turned their backs to each other.
Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
