in the military art, is the putting two ranks or files of soldiers into one. Thus, when the word of command is double your ranks, the second, fourth, and six ranks march into the first, third, and fifth, so that the six ranks are reduced to three, and the intervals between the ranks become double what they were before.

among hunters, who say that a hare doubles, when he keeps in plain fields, and winds about to deceive the hounds.

in the manege, a term applied to a horse, who is said to double his reins, when he leaps several times together, to throw his rider; thus it is said, the ramingue doubles his reins, and makes ponteivis.

in Navigation, the art of sailing round, or passing beyond, a cape or promontory, so as that the cape or point of land separates the ship from her former situation, or lies between her and any distant observer.

DOUBLING Upon, in Naval Tactics, the act of enclosing any part of a hostile fleet between two fires, or of cannonading it on both sides.

It is usually performed by the van or rear of that fleet which is superior in number, taking the advantage of the wind, or of its situation, and taking or veering round the van or rear of the enemy, who can scarcely avoid being thrown into general confusion.