hock 1
/hok/ , n.
1. the joint in the hind leg of a horse, cow, etc., above the fetlock joint, corresponding anatomically to the ankle in humans. See diag. under horse .
2. a corresponding joint in a fowl.
v.t.
3. to hamstring.
[ 1375-1425; var. of dial. hough, ME ho ( u ) gh, appar. back formation from late ME hokschyn, etc., OE hohsinu hock (lit., heel) sinew; see HEEL 1 ]
hock 2
/hok/ , n. Chiefly Brit.
any white Rhine wine.
[ 1615-25; short for Hockamore HOCHHEIMER ]
hock 3
— hocker , n.
/hok/ , v.t.
1. pawn.
n.
2. the state of being deposited or held as security; pawn: She was forced to put her good jewelry in hock.
3. the condition of owing; debt: After the loan was paid, he was finally out of hock.
[ 1855-60, Amer.; hok kennel, sty, pen, (informal) miserable place to live, prison ]