in naval architecture, a strong wooden rail, supported by stanchions, extending across the foremost part of the quarter-deck. In a vessel of war the vacant spaces between the stanchions are commonly filled with rope-matts, cork, or pieces of old cable; and the upper part, which contains a double rope-netting above the rail, is stuffed with full hammocks to intercept the motion, and to prevent the execution of small-shot in the time of battle.