gantline

plural gantlines

1. nauticalA line rigged to a mast, used to hoist rigging.

   “Now then — to the main topsail now! Tally on to that gantline. Don't stand about there!”

   1914, Joseph Conrad, chapter 4, in The Niger of Narkissos

   2 more examples

   A moment later, I saw the man's head appear over the top. He had the tail-block slung round his neck, and the end of the gantline over his shoulder.

   1909, William Hope Hodgson, The Ghost Pirates, Chapter IV

   He drew deep breath; a gantline swayed aloft A lower topsail, hard with rope and leather, Such as men's frozen fingers fight with oft Below the Ramirez in Cape Hom weather.

   1913, John Masefield, Dauber (poem)

   Synonyms: girtline