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.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)