Pirn
The small spool of weft yarn that sits inside the shuttle and unwinds as the shuttle crosses the loom.
Also: bobbin, quill
A pirn is a narrow spool, wound with weft thread, that fits into the hollow of a shuttle. Winding pirns is a separate job in the weaving household, often done by women and children on a small wheel or machine, so that the weaver at the loom always has a full pirn at hand. When the thread runs out the weaver pulls the empty pirn and fits a fresh one. Pirns of silk, cotton and zari thread are wound separately, and for a pallu with several colours the weaver may keep many small pirns ready.