parbuckle

American  

[pahr-buhk-uhl] / ˈpɑrˌbʌk əl /

noun

1. a kind of tackle for raising or lowering a cask or similar object along an inclined plane or a vertical surface, consisting of a rope looped over a post or the like, with its two ends passing around the object to be moved.

2. a kind of double sling made with a rope, as around a cask to be raised or lowered.

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verb (used with object)

parbuckled, parbuckling

1. to raise, lower, or move with a parbuckle.

parbuckle British  

/ ˈpɑːˌbʌkəl /

noun

1. a rope sling for lifting or lowering a heavy cylindrical object, such as a cask or tree trunk

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verb

1. (tr) to raise or lower (an object) with such a sling

Etymology

Origin of parbuckle

First recorded in 1620–30; earlier parbunkel, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

The OED cites the Manual of Seamanship for Boys: "A parbuckle... is used for hauling up or lowering down a cask... where there is no crane or tackle."It's owl.

From BBC • Sep. 20, 2013

Which of the following best describes a "parbuckle"? 18th Century term for pumping water 19th Century term for rolling 19th Century term for lifting barrels in a sling pony dove owl It's Hawick.

From BBC • Sep. 20, 2013

The parbuckle is frequently used in public-house vaults.

From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Belcher, Edward, Sir

They'd left some gear behind them, but we were most of two days cutting and heaving the beast out with a parbuckle under him.

From Hawtrey's Deputy by Cuneo, Cyrus

This formed a parbuckle, and when the men hauled upon the upper lengths of the ropes the cask easily rolled up to the ends of the lower lengths.

From By Conduct and Courage A Story of the Days of Nelson by Rainey, W. (William)