Describing a nautical or architectural element positioned at a jaunty or tilted angle, or said of a ship's yard when hoisted unevenly.
Cock- (possibly from the upright rooster posture) combined with -billed (angled or tilted). Used in maritime terminology since at least the 17th century to describe improper or angled positioning.
In sailing, a 'cockbilled' yard was often a sign of celebration or mourning—sailors would deliberately angle the ship's horizontal spars to signal special occasions, making the ship itself communicate through its rigging.
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