BITTS

Etymology

Noun

bitts pl (plural only)

(nautical, pluralonly) A frame composed of two strong oak timbers (bitt-heads) fixed vertically in the fore part of a ship, bolted to the deck beams to which are secured the cables when the ship rides to anchor

Source: Wiktionary

Bitts, n. pl. Etym: [Cf. F. bitte, Icel. biti, a beam. (Naut.)

Definition: A frame of two strong timbers fixed perpendicularly in the fore part of a ship, on which to fasten the cables as the ship rides at anchor, or in warping. Other bitts are used for belaying (belaying bitts), for sustaining the windlass (carrick bitts, winch bitts, or windlass bitts), to hold the pawls of the windlass (pawl bitts) etc.

BITT

Bitt, n. (Naut.)

Definition: See Bitts.

Bitt, v. t. Etym: [See Bitts.] (Naut.)

Definition: To put round the bitts; as, to bitt the cable, in order to fasten it or to slacken it gradually, which is called veering away. Totten.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition