n. 1 a coil or skein of wool or thread etc. 2 any of several measures of length of cloth or yarn, e.g. 840 yds. for cotton yarn and 560 yds. for worsted. 3 Naut. a ring of rope, iron, etc., for securing the staysails to the stays.
[ ME f. ON hönk: cf. Sw. hank string, Da. hank handle ]