What is "tripping line"

Tripping \Trip"ping\, n.

1. Act of one who, or that which, trips.

2. A light dance.

   Other trippings to be trod of lighter toes.
   --Milton.

3. (Naut.) The loosing of an anchor from the ground by means of its cable or buoy rope.

   Tripping line (Naut.), a small rope attached to the topgallant or royal yard, used to trip the yard, and in lowering it to the deck; also, a line used in letting go the anchor.
   --Luce.

n. (context nautical English) A small rope attached to the topgallant or royal yard, used to trip the yard, and in lowering it to the deck; also, a line used in letting go the anchor.

On a boat, a tripping line is small rope attached to the topgallant or royal yard, used to trip the yard and lower it to the deck. It's also a line used in releasing the anchor.