1849 G. C. Greenwell 40 Punch-prop, a short prop, set upon a crowntree or balk, where it does not support the middle of the roof... Also, a short prop, about 14 or 15 inches long, placed by a hewer under his sump or back-end.
1980 M. Brown et al. 61 Punch prop, a wooden prop placed at the foot of a girder to give support.