The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Ladle \La"dle\, n. [AS. hl[ae]del, fr. hladan to load, drain.
   See Lade, v. t.]
   1. A cuplike spoon, often of large size, with a long handle,
      used in lading or dipping.
      [1913 Webster]

            When the materials of glass have been kept long in
            fusion, the mixture casts up the superfluous salt,
            which the workmen take off with ladles. --Boyle.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Founding) A vessel to carry liquid metal from the furnace
      to the mold.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. The float of a mill wheel; -- called also ladle board.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. (Gun.)
      (a) An instrument for drawing the charge of a cannon.
      (b) A ring, with a handle or handles fitted to it, for
          carrying shot.
          [1913 Webster]

   Ladle wood (Bot.), the wood of a South African tree
      (Cassine Colpoon), used for carving.
      [1913 Webster]