clew down

noun

1. a ball of thread or yarn: in Greek legend, a thread is used by Theseus as a guide out of the labyrinth
2. clue
3. Naut.
   1. either of the lower corners of a square sail
   2. the after lower corner of a fore-and-aft sail
   3. a combination of lines by which a hammock is hung

Etymology: ME cleue < OE cliwen, akin to Du klüwen & dissimilated Ger knäuel < IE base *gel-: see claw

transitive verb

1. to wind (up) into a ball
2. clue