g at
the yard-arm. Thus fixed, he was hoisted suddenly up to the yard, and
the rope being then slackened at once, he was plunged into the sea. This
chastisement was repeated several times; conformable to the sentence, a
gun advertised the other ships of the fleet thereof that their crews
might become spectators. If the offence was very great, he was drawn
underneath the keel of the ship, which was called keel-hauling. (_See_
KEEL-HAULING.)

DUCKS. The general name for a sailor's dress in warm climates. Also, the
military English of Bombay. _See also_ JEMMY DUCKS, the keeper of the
poultry on board ship. Dried herrings, or Digby ducks in N. S.

DUCK-UP! A term used by the steersman when the main-sail, fore-sail, or
sprit-sail hinders his seeing to steer by a landmark, upon which he
calls out, "Duck-up the clue-lines of those sails," that is, haul the
sails out of the way. Also, when a shot is made by a chase-piece, if the
clue of the sprit-sail hinders the sight, they call out, "Duck-up," &c.

DUDGEON. An old word for the box-handle of a dirk; it is mentioned by
Shakspeare with the blade of the ideal dagger which Macbeth saw before
him. It also means offence, anger.

DUDS. A cant term for clothes or personal property. The term is old, but
still in common use, though usually applied to clothing of an inferior
quality, and even rags and tatters.

DUEL. A single combat at a time and place appointed in consequence of a
challenge; a practice which had its uses and abuses, now prohibited.

DUELLO. An Italian word expressive of duelling, long appropriated into
our language.

DUFF. Pudding or dough.

DUFFERS. Low pedlars; also those women who assist smugglers. Also,
cowardly fellows.

DUG-OUT. A canoe.

DUKE OF YORK. A nickname for a particular storm trysail used in the
northern seas.

DULCE, DULSE, DELSE. _Iridea dulce_, one of the edible fuci. It is an
article of trade in America and Holland, and is plentiful on the rocky
coasts of Ireland and western England. It probably derived its name from
being sweet and pleasant, not requiring cooking.

DULEDGE PLATES. An old name for the tyre-streaks or iron plates on the
circumference of the wheel of a field-piece. Duledge was also used for
dowel, the wooden pin connecting the felloes.

DULL'D. When said of the wind, fallen or moderated.

DULLISH. The Manx term for the marine eatable leaf _dillisk_.

DUMB-CHALDER. A metal cleat bolted to the back of the stern-post fo