parbuckle

American  

[pahr-buhk-uhl] / ˈpɑrˌbʌk əl /

noun

1. a kind of tackle for raising or lowering a cask or similar object along an inclined plane or a vertical surface, consisting of a rope looped over a post or the like, with its two ends passing around the object to be moved.

2. a kind of double sling made with a rope, as around a cask to be raised or lowered.

---

verb (used with object)

parbuckled, parbuckling

1. to raise, lower, or move with a parbuckle.

parbuckle British  

/ ˈpɑːˌbʌkəl /

noun

1. a rope sling for lifting or lowering a heavy cylindrical object, such as a cask or tree trunk

---

verb

1. (tr) to raise or lower (an object) with such a sling

Etymology

Origin of parbuckle

First recorded in 1620–30; earlier parbunkel, of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

The OED cites the Manual of Seamanship for Boys: "A parbuckle... is used for hauling up or lowering down a cask... where there is no crane or tackle."It's owl.

From BBC • Sep. 20, 2013

Which of the following best describes a "parbuckle"? 18th Century term for pumping water 19th Century term for rolling 19th Century term for lifting barrels in a sling pony dove owl It's Hawick.

From BBC • Sep. 20, 2013

They'd left some gear behind them, but we were most of two days cutting and heaving the beast out with a parbuckle under him.

From Hawtrey's Deputy by Cuneo, Cyrus

This formed a parbuckle, and when the men hauled upon the upper lengths of the ropes the cask easily rolled up to the ends of the lower lengths.

From By Conduct and Courage A Story of the Days of Nelson by Rainey, W. (William)

The parbuckle is frequently used in public-house vaults.

From The Sailor's Word-Book An Alphabetical Digest of Nautical Terms, including Some More Especially Military and Scientific, but Useful to Seamen; as well as Archaisms of Early Voyagers, etc. by Belcher, Edward, Sir