TRINK. An old contrivance for catching fish. (Statute 2 Hen. VI. c. 15.)
TRIP. An outward-bound passage or short voyage, particularly in the coasting trade. It also denotes a single board in plying to windward. Also, the movement by which an anchor is loosened from its bed and raised clear of the bottom, either by its cable or buoy-rope.—The anchor's a-trip, i.e. no longer holds.
TRIPLE STAR. Three stars situated in close proximity, but apparently only optically connected. (See [Ternary System].)
TRIPPING. Giving a yard the necessary cant by a tripping-line. Also, the lifting an upper mast to withdraw its fid, in order that it may be lowered by means of the mast-rope.
TRIPPING-LINE. A small rope serving to unrig the lower top-gallant yard-arm of its lift and brace, when in the act of sending it down on deck. Also, the line used for tripping an upper mast.
TROACHER, or Troaker. A dealer in smuggled goods.
TROCHOID, or Cycloid. A geometrical curve, resulting from a circle being made to run along a right line, whence the French designate it roulette. But if a circle be made to roll along the circumference of another circle, it becomes an [epicycloid] (which see).
TROITE. An archaism for the cuttle-fish.
TROLLING. Drawing the bait along the water to imitate the swimming of a real fish; this is generally done by a long line attached to the stern of a sailing-boat. The word of old signified sauntering or idling about.
TROMBONE. A species of blunderbuss for boat service, taking its name from its unseemly trumpet mouth.