A watch, conslst-ing of a small number of men. (from one to four,) kept constantly on deck while the vessel is riding at single anchor, to see that the stoppers, painters, cables, and buoy-ropes are ready for immediate use. The Lady Franklin, 2 Lowell, 220, Fed. Cas. No. 7.984
Source: Black's Law Dictionary 2nd Ed (1910)
