Wiktionary
monkey's fist
n. A type of knot tied at the end of a rope to serve as a weight, making it easier to throw the line.
Wikipedia
Monkey's fist
A monkey's fist or monkey paw is a type of knot, so named because it looks somewhat like a small bunched fist/paw. It is tied at the end of a rope to serve as a weight, making it easier to throw, and also as an ornamental knot. It was also used in the past as an anchor in rock climbing, by stuffing it into a crack. Nowadays it is still sometimes used in sandstone, e.g., the Elbe Sandstone Mountains in Germany.
Usage examples of "monkey's fist".
He couldn't tie his shoes with his hands but he could do all of Horst's fancy sailor knots-from a Turk's head to a monkey's fist-just by looking at the cord.