in sea-language, a small cord passing up behind a ship's main-tail, or fore-tail, and being reved through a block attached to the lower part of the yard, is thence transmitted in two branches to the foot of the tail, to which it is fastened. It is used to truss up the sail as occasion requires, and more particularly for the convenience of the pilot or steersman, that they may look forward beneath it as the ship advances.