hockle

Meanings

Noun

• A knob in cordage caused by twisting against the lay.
• spit, spittle

Verb

• To damage cordage by twisting against the lay.
• to disable by cutting the tendons of the ham.
• To mow, as stubble.
• To spit.

Origin

• Probably from hackle, a brush once used for fraying flax, and related to heckle.
• From imperfect and past participle hockled; from present participle and verbal noun hockling. From hock.
• Probably onomatopoeic.