FRENCHMAN. Formerly a term among sailors for every stranger or
outlandish man.

FRENCH SHROUD-KNOT. The shroud-knot with three strands single walled
round the bights of the other three and the standing part. (_See_
SHROUD-KNOT.)

FRENCH THE BALLAST. A term used for _freshen the ballast_.

FRESCA. Fresh water, or rain, and land floods; old term.

FRESH. When applied to the wind, signifies strong, but not violent;
hence an increasing gale is said to freshen. (_See_ FORCE.) Also used
for sweet; as, fresh water. Also, bordering on intoxication; excited
with drinking. Also, an overflowing or flood from rivers and torrents
after heavy rains or the melting of mountain snows. Also, an increase of
the stream in a river. Also, the stream of a river as it flows into the
sea. The fresh sometimes extends out to sea for several miles, as off
Surinam, and many other large rivers.

FRESH BREEZE. A brisk wind, to which a ship, according to its stability,
carries double or treble or close-reefed top-sails, &c. This is a very
peculiar term, dependent on the stability of the ship, her management,
and how she is affected by it, on a wind or before it. It is numbered 6.
Thus, a ship running down the trades, with studding-sails set, had
registered "moderate and fine;" she met with a superior officer,
close-hauled under close-reefed top-sails and courses, was compelled to
shorten sail, and lower her boat; the log was then marked "fresh
breezes."

FRESHEN, TO. To relieve a rope of its strain, or danger of chafing, by
shifting or removing its place of nip.

FRESHEN HAWSE, TO. To relieve that part of the cable which has for some
time been exposed to friction in one of the hawse-holes, when the ship
rolls and pitches at anchor in a high sea; this is done by applying
fresh service to the cable within board, and then veering it into the
hawse. (_See_ SERVICE, KECKLING, or ROUNDING.)

FRESHEN THE BALLAST. Divide or separate it, so as to alter its position.

FRESHEN THE NIP, TO. To veer a small portion of cable through the
hawse-hole, or heave a little in, in order to let another part of it
bear the stress and friction. A common term with tipplers, especially
after taking the meridian observation.

FRESHEN WAY. When the ship feels the increasing influence of a breeze.
Also, when a man quickens his pace.

FRESHES. Imply the impetuosity of an ebb tide, increased by heavy rains,
and flowing out into the sea, which it often discolours to a