See Also: sheepshank(dictionary)
Sheepshank - Sailing(gambling)

sheepshank (iou)



sheepshank noun & verb. E17.
[formed as SHEEP'S HEAD + SHANK noun.]
A. noun.
Nautical. A knot used to shorten a rope's length temporarily without cutting it or unfastening the ends. E17.
The shank or leg of a sheep. rare. L17.
An unimportant person or thing. Usu. in neg. contexts. Scot. L18.
b. verb trans. Shorten (a rope's length) with a sheepshank. M18.