Possible Clues:

• It may be spread before dinner
• Propose to thicken hard underlay for mats perhaps
• Protection from stains
• After laying out for dinner, one's left shaken -- or taken to the cleaners
• Propose clergy get cover for board
• It protects the furniture of clergy on board
• A spread for the board
• Linen covering for a dinner party
• Mealtime spread
• Spread found on board that cannot be eaten