n. & v.
n. 1 a long flat piece of timber used esp. in building, flooring, etc. 2 an item of a political or other programme (cf. PLATFORM).
v.tr. 1 provide, cover, or floor, with planks. 2 (usu. foll. by down; also absol.) esp. US colloq. a put (a thing, person, etc.) down roughly or violently. b pay (money) on the spot or abruptly (planked down $5). plank bed a bed of boards without a mattress, esp. in prison. walk the plank hist. (of a pirate's captive etc.) be made to walk blindfold along a plank over the side of a ship to one's death in the sea.
[ ME f. ONF planke, OF planche f. LL planca board f. plancus flat-footed ]