BUTT. The joining of two timbers or planks endways. Also, the opening between the ends of two planks when worked. Also, the extremities of the planks themselves when they are united, or abut against each other. The word likewise is used to denote the largest end of all timber. Planks under water as they rise are joined one end to another. In large ships butt-ends are most carefully bolted, for if any one of them should spring, or give way, the leak would be very dangerous and difficult to stop.--_To start_ or _spring a butt_ is to loosen the end of a plank by the ship's weakness or labouring.--_Butt-heads_ are the same with butt-ends.--_Butt_ is also a mark for shooting at, and the hind part of a musket or pistol. Also, a wine-measure of 126 gallons. BUTT-AND-BUTT. A term denoting that the butt ends of two planks come together, but do not overlay each other. (_See_ HOOK AND BUTT and HOOK-SCARPH.) BUTT-END. The shoulder part of a fire-lock. BUTTER-BOX. A name given to the brig-traders of lumpy form, from London, Bristol, and other English ports. A cant term for a Dutchman. BUTTER-BUMP. A name of the bittern in the north. BUTTER-FINGERED. Having a careless habit of allowing things to drop through the fingers. BUTTLE. An eastern-county name for the bittern. BUTTOCK. The breadth of the ship astern from the tuck upwards: it is terminated by the counter above, by the bilge below, by the stern-post in the middle, and by the quarter on the side. That part abaft the after body, which is bounded by the fashion pieces, and by the wing transom, and the upper or second water-line. A ship is said to have a broad, or narrow, buttock according to her transom convexity under the stern. BUTTOCK-LINES. In ship-building, the longitudinal curves at the rounding part of the after body in a vertical section. BUTTON. The knob of metal which terminates the breech end of most guns, and which affords a convenient bearing for the application of handspikes, breechings, &c. BUTTONS, TO MAKE. A common time-honoured, but strange expression, for sudden apprehension or misgiving. BUTTRESS. In fortification. (_See_ COUNTERFORTS.) BUTT-SHAFT, OR BUTT-BOLT. An arrow without a barb, used for shooting at a butt. BUTT-SLINGING A BOWSPRIT. _See_ SLINGS. BUXSISH. A gratuity, in oriental trading. BUZZING. Sometimes used for _booming_ (which see). BY. On or close to the wind.--_Full and by_, not to lift or shiver the sails; rap-full. BY AND LARGE. To the wind and off it; within six points. BYKAT. A northern term for a male salmon of a certain age, because of the beak which then grows on its under-jaw. BYLLIS. An old spelling for _bill_ (which see). BYRNIE. Early English for body-armour. BYRTH. The old expression for tonnage. (_See_ BURDEN or BURTHEN.) BYSSA. An ancient gun for discharging stones at the enemy.