FAUSSEBRAYE. In fortification, a kind of counterguard or low rampart, intended to protect the lower part of the main escarp behind it from being breached, but considered in modern times to do more harm than good to the defence. FAVOUR, TO. To be careful of; also to be fair for.--"_Favour her_" is purely a seaman's term; as when it blows in squalls, and the vessel is going rap-full, with a stiff weather-helm and bow-seas, "favour her boy" is "ease the helm, let the sails lift, and head the sea." So, in hauling in a rope, _favour_ means to trust to the men's force and elasticity, and not part the rope by taking a turn on a cleat, making a dead nip. A thorough seaman "favours" his spars and rigging, and sails his ship economically as well as expeditiously. FAY, TO. To fit any two pieces of wood, so as to join close and fair together; the plank is said to fay to the timbers, when it lies so close to them that there shall be no perceptible space between them. FAY FENA. A kind of Japanese galley, of 30 oars. FEALTY. Loyalty and due devotion to the queen's service. FEARN. A small windlass for a lighter. FEAR-NOUGHT. Stout felt woollen cloth, used for port-linings, hatchway fire-screens, &c. The same as _dread-nought_. FEATHER. (_See_ SWINE'S or SWEDISH FEATHER.) It is used variously. (_See also_ FULL FEATHER and WHITE FEATHER.) FEATHER, TO CUT A. When a ship has so sharp a bow that she makes the spray feather in cleaving it. FEATHER AN OAR, TO. In rowing, is to turn the blade horizontally, with the top aft, as it comes out of the water. This lessens the resistance of the air upon it. FEATHER-EDGED. A term used by shipwrights for such planks as are thicker on one edge than the other. FEATHERING-PADDLES. (Morgan's patent.) FEATHER-SPRAY. Such as is observed at the cut-water of fast steamers, forming a pair of wing feathers. FEATHER-STAR. The _Comatula rosacea_, one of the most beautiful of British star-fishes. FEAZE, TO. To untwist, to unlay ropes; to teaze, to convert it into oakum. FEAZINGS. The fagging out or unravelling of an unwhipped rope. FECKET. A Guernsey frock. FECKLESS. Weak and silly. FEEDER. A small river falling into a large one, or into a dock or float. _Feeders_, in pilot slang, are the passing spurts of rain which feed a gale. FEEDING-GALE. A storm which is on the increase, sometimes getting worse at each succeeding squall. When a gale freshens after rain, it is said to have fed the gale. FEEDING-PART OF A TACKLE. That running through the sheaves, in opposition to the standing part. FEED OF GRASS. A supply of any kind of vegetables. FEED-PUMP. The contrivance by which the boilers of a steamer are supplied with water from the hot-well, while the engines are at work. FEED-WATER. In steamers, the water which supplies the boiler.