'To cockbill the anchor' definitions:

Definition of 'To cockbill the anchor'

From: GCIDE

Cockbill \Cock"bill\ (k[o^]k"b[i^]l`), v. t. [See Cock to set erect.] (Naut.) To tilt up one end of so as to make almost vertical; as, to cockbill the yards as a sign of mourning. [1913 Webster]
To cockbill the anchor, to suspend it from the cathead preparatory to letting it go. See Acockbill. [1913 Webster]