CLOTHS. In a sail, are the breadths of canvas in its whole width. When a ship has broad sails they say she spreads much cloth.
CLOTTING. A west-country method of catching eels with worsted thread.
CLOUD. A collection of vapours suspended in the atmosphere. Also, under a cloud of canvas.
CLOUGH. A word derived from the verb to cleave, and signifying a narrow valley between two hills. (See [Cleugh].) Also, in commerce, an allowance on the turn of the beam in weighing.
CLOUT. From the Teutonic kotzen, a blow. Also, a gore of blood.
CLOUT-NAILS [Fr. clouter]. To stud with nails, as ships' bottoms and piles were before the introduction of sheet copper.
CLOUTS. Thin plates of iron nailed on that part of the axle-tree of a gun-carriage that comes through the nave, and through which the linch-pin goes.
CLOVE-HITCH. A knot or noose by which one rope is fastened to another. (See [Hitch].) Two half hitches round a spar or rope.
CLOVE-HOOK. Synonymous with clasp-hook.
CLOVES. Planks made by cleaving. Certain weights for wool, butter, &c. Also, long spike-nails [derived from clou, Fr.]