ratlin

Variant of ratline

ratline definition

rat·line (rat′lin)

noun

any of the small, relatively thin pieces of tarred rope which join the shrouds of a ship and serve as the steps of a ladder for climbing the rigging
also sp. ratlin rat′·lin

Etymology: altered by folk etym. < LME ratling, radeling < ?

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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