BURN THE WATER. A phrase denoting the act of killing salmon in the night, with a lister and lighted torch in the boat. BURN-TROUT. A northern term for a small species of river-trout. BURR. The iris or hazy circle which appears round the moon before rain. Also, a Manx or Gaelic term for the wind blowing across on the tide. Also, the sound made by the Newcastle men in pronouncing the letter R. BURREL. A langrage shot, consisting of bits of iron, bullets, nails, and other matters, got together in haste for a sudden emergency. BURROCK. A small weir over a river, where weals are laid for taking fish. BURR-PUMP. A name of the bilge-pump. BURSER. _See_ PURSER. BURST. The explosion of a shell or any gun. BURTHEN. _See_ BURDEN. BURTON. A small tackle rove in a particular manner; it is formed by two blocks or pulleys, with a hook-block in the bight of the running part; it is generally used to set up or tighten the shrouds, whence it is frequently termed a top-burton tackle; but it is equally useful to move or draw along any weighty body in the hold or on the deck, as anchors, bales of goods, large casks, &c. (_See_ SPANISH-BURTON.) The burton purchase, also _runner-purchase_ (which see). BUSH, OR BOUCHE. A circular shouldered piece of metal, usually of brass, let into the lignum vitæ sheaves of such blocks as have iron pins, thereby preventing the sheave from wearing, without adding much to its weight. The operation of placing it in the wood is called bushing or coaking, though the last name is usually given to smaller bushes of a square shape. Brass bushes are also extensively applied in the marine steam-engine work. Also, in artillery, the plug (generally of copper, on account of the superior resistance of that metal to the flame of exploded gunpowder), having a diameter of about an inch, and a length equal to the intended length of the vent, screwed into the metal of the gun at the place of the vent, which is then drilled in it. Guns may be re-bushed when the vent has worn too large, by the substitution of a new bush. BUSH. The forests in the West Indies, Australia, &c. BUSHED. Cased with harder metal, as that inserted into the holes of some rudder braces or sheaves in general, to prevent their wearing. BUSHED-BLOCK. _See_ COAK. BUSKING. Piratical cruising; also, used generally, for beating to windward along a coast, or cruising off and on. BUSS. A small strong-built Dutch vessel with two masts, used in the herring and mackerel fisheries, being generally of 50 to 70 tons burden. BUST-HEAD. _See_ HEAD. BUSY AS THE DEVIL IN A GALE OF WIND. Fidgety restlessness, or double diligence in a bad cause; the imp being supposed to be mischievous in hard gales. BUT. A northern name for a flounder or plaice. Also, a conical basket for catching fish. BUTCHER'S BILL. A nickname for the official return of killed and wounded which follows an action. BUTESCARLI. The early name for the sea-officers in the British Navy (_see the_ EQUIPMENT OF).