The Collaborative International Dictionary
Cockbill \Cock"bill\ (k[o^]k"b[i^]l`), v. t. [See Cock to set erect.] (Naut.) To tilt up one end of so as to make almost vertical; as, to cockbill the yards as a sign of mourning.
To cockbill the anchor, to suspend it from the cathead preparatory to letting it go. See Acockbill.
Wiktionary
vb. 1 (context nautical English) To tilt up one end of, so as to make almost vertical. 2 (context nautical English) To suspend (the anchor) from the cathead preparatory to letting it go.
Usage examples of "cockbill".
The yards hung, as seamen term it, a cockbill, or in such negligent and picturesque positions as an artist would most love to draw, while the drapery of the canvass was suspended in graceful and spotless festoons, as it had fallen by chance, or been cast carelessly from the hands of the boatmen.
The Cockbill Street Roaring Lads had a treaty with Shamlegger Street, thus allowing them to ignore that flank while they concentrated on stopping the territorial aggression of the Pigsty Hill Dead Marmoset Gang.
I'd rather put one hand flat on the table and give Swing the hammer than walk down Cockbill Street today.