ˈcock-feather Archery.
[f. cock n.1 attrib. = ‘top, sticking up’, as in cock-sheaf, etc.]
The upper one of the three feathers on an arrow, generally of a different colour from the other two, so as to indicate at sight how to place the arrow on the string.
| 1545 R. Ascham Toxoph. (Arb.) 132 It standeth with good reason to haue the cocke fether black or greye, as it were to gyue a man warning to nocke ryght. 1860 H. D. Archer's Guide 34 That feather which is placed upon the horn is the cock feather, and generally of a different colour: the other two feathers are placed at an equal distance from it. Place the arrow on the string with the cock feather uppermost. |