n. 1 a strap, or set of straps, fastened at one end to the noseband of a horse and at the other end to the girth, to prevent rearing etc. 2 Naut. a rope for holding down the jib-boom. 3 a gambling system of continually doubling the stakes in the hope of an eventual win that must yield a net profit.
[ F, of uncert. orig. ]