[Sca-cooks] The Bell of a Hog or Sheep

[David Walddon]

So I am working on a critical edition of a cook book at the moment and have decided that I need to footnote (for less experienced readers) the phrase "the bell of a hogge or sheepe". 

This has led to some interesting web searches and some late nights with the OED, La Rousse, Davidson, etc. 

Can I find a definition in any of them? NO! 

So strange. 

So I have a definition in mind, but wanted to pass it by the collective brain to see if you all had any other places I might look for a documentable reference. 

Thanks 

Eduardo