spanner (n.)youdaoicibaDictYouDict[spanner 词源字典]
1630s, a tool for winding the spring of a wheel-lock firearm, from German Spanner, from spannen (see span (v.)). Meaning "wrench" is from 1790. Figurative phrase spanner in the works attested from 1921 (Wodehouse).[spanner etymology, spanner origin, 英语词源]