CHOCK

I. noun Etymology: origin unknown Date: 1769 a wedge or block for steadying a body (as a cask) and holding it motionless, for filling in an unwanted space, or for blocking the movement of a wheel, a heavy metal casting (as on the bow or stern of a ship) with two short horn-shaped arms curving inward between which ropes or hawsers may pass for mooring or towing, II. adverb Date: 1834 as close or as completely as possible, III. transitive verb Date: circa 1841 to stop or make fast with or as if with ~s