Hockle

noun, verb

noun, verb ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A knob in cordage caused by twisting against the lay.
  2. 2
    spit, spittle Geordie, uncountable, vulgar
Verb
  1. 1
    To damage cordage by twisting against the lay.
  2. 2
    to disable by cutting the tendons of the ham. transitive
  3. 3
    To spit. Geordie
  4. 4
    To mow, as stubble. transitive

Synonyms

All synonyms
hamstringhockhough

Etymology

Etymology 1

Probably from hackle, a brush once used for fraying flax, and related to heckle (“to tease”).

Etymology 2

From imperfect and past participle hockled; from present participle and verbal noun hockling. From hock.

Etymology 3

Probably onomatopoeic.

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.