coatings.

COAT OF MAIL. The chiton shell.

COAT-TACKS. The peculiar nails with which the mast coats are fastened.

COB. A young herring. Also, a sea-gull. Also, a sort of short
break-water--so called in our early statutes: such was that which forms
the harbour of Lyme Regis, originally composed of piles and timber,
lined with heaps of rock; but now constructed of stone compacted with
cement.

COBB. A Gibraltar term for a Spanish dollar.

COBBING. An old punishment sometimes inflicted at sea for breach of
certain regulations--chiefly for those quitting their station during the
night. The offender was struck a certain number of times on the breech
with a flat piece of wood called the _cobbing-board_. Also, when _watch_
was cried, all persons were expected to take off their hats on pain of
being cobbed.

COBBLE, TO. To mend or repair hastily. Also, the _coggle_ or _cog_
(which see).--_Cobble or coggle stones_, pebbly shingle, ballast-stones
rounded by attrition, boulders, &c.

COBBLER. An armourer's rasp.

COBBO. The small fish known as the miller's thumb.

COBLE. A low flat-floored boat with a square stern, used in the cod and
turbot fishery, 20 feet long and 5 feet broad; of about one ton burden,
rowed with three pairs of oars, and furnished with a lug-sail; it is
admirably constructed for encountering a heavy swell. Its stability is
secured by the rudder extending 4 or 5 feet under her bottom. It
belonged originally to the stormy coast of Yorkshire. There is also a
small boat under the same name used by salmon fishers.

COBOOSE. _See_ CABOOSE.

COCK. That curved arm affixed to the lock of small arms, which, when
released by the touch of the trigger, flies forward and discharges the
piece by percussion, whether of flint and steel, fulminating priming,
needles abutting on the latter, &c.

COCKADE. First worn by St. Louis on his unfortunate crusade.

COCK-A-HOOP. In full confidence, and high spirits.

COCKANDY. A name on our northern shores for the puffin, otherwise called
_Tom Noddy_ (_Fratercula arctica_).

COCK-BILL. The situation of the anchor when suspended from the cat-head
ready for letting go. Also said of a cable when it hangs right up and
down. To put the yards a-cockbill is to top them up by one lift to an
angle with the deck. The symbol of mourning.

COCK-BOAT. A very small boat used on rivers or near the shore. Formerly
the cock was the general name of a yawl: it is derived from _coggle_ o