ˈhopshackle, n. Obs. exc. dial.
[The second element is app. shackle; the first is obscure: cf. hopple, hamshackle.]
‘A ligament for confining a horse or cow’ (Jam.); a hopple or hobble.
| a 1568 R. Ascham Scholem. ii. (Arb.) 128 Soch runners..in the end..cum behind others and deserue but the hop⁓shakles, if the Masters of the game be right iudgers. |
So hopshackle (in 6 Sc. hap-) v. trans., to hopple or hobble. Obs. exc. dial.
| 1500–20 Dunbar Poems liii. 12 He stackerit lyk ane strummall awer [i.e. aver, old horse] That hap shackellit war abone the kne. 1879 Waugh Chimney Corner 17 Thou walks as if thou were hop-shackle't. |