/rat"lin/ , n. Naut.
1. any of the small ropes or lines that traverse the shrouds horizontally and serve as steps for going aloft.
2. Also, ratline stuff . three-stranded, right-laid, tarred hemp stuff of from 6 to 24 threads, used for ratlines, lashings, etc.
Also, ratlin .
[ 1475-85; earlier ratling, radelyng ]