CAPSTAN, or MAIN CAPSTAN, in a ship, a great piece of timber in the nature of a windlass, placed next behind the main-mast, its foot standing in a step on the lower deck, and its head between the upper decks; formed into several squares with holes in them. Its
use.
use is to weigh the anchors, to hoist up or strike down top-masts, to heave any weighty matter, or to strain any rope that requireth a main force.