double-bitt, v. Naut.
[see bitt.]
trans. To pass (a cable) twice round the bitts, or round two pairs of bitts instead of one.
| 1833 Marryat P. Simple xv, ‘Which cable was ranged last night—the best bower?’ ‘Yes, sir.’ ‘Jump down, then, and see it double-bitted and stoppered at thirty fathoms.’ 1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-bk. 104 In ships of war there are usually two pairs of cable-bitts, and when they are both used at once the cable is said to be double-bitted. |