PUCKA. A word in frequent use amongst the English in the East Indies, signifying sterling, of good quality.
PUCKER. A wrinkled seam in sail-making. Also, anything in a state of confusion.
PUDDENING, or Pudding. A thick wreath of yarns, matting, or oakum (called a dolphin), tapering from the middle towards the ends, grafted all over, and fastened about the main or fore masts of a ship, directly below the trusses, to prevent the yards from falling down, in case of the ropes by which they are suspended being shot away. Puddings are also placed on a boat's stem as a kind of fender; and also laid round the rings of anchors to prevent hempen cables or hawsers from chafing.
PUDDING AND DOLPHIN. A larger and lesser pad, made of ropes, and put round the masts under the lower yards.
PUDDLE-DOCK. An ancient pool of the Thames, the dirtiness of which afforded Jack some pointed sarcasms.
PUDDLING. A technical term for working clay to a plastic state in an inclosed space, until it is of the requisite consistence for arresting the flow of water. A term in iron furnace work.
PUFF. A sudden gust of wind. A whistle of steam.
PUFFIN. The Fratercula arctica, a sea-bird with a singular bill, formerly supposed to be a bird in show, but a fish in substance, in consequence of which notion the pope permitted its being eaten in Lent.
PULAS. An excellent twine, made by the Malays from the kaluwi, a species of nettle.
PULL-AWAY-BOYS. A name given on the West Coast of Africa to the native Kroo-men, who are engaged by the shipping to row boats and do other work not suited to Europeans in that climate.