water knotn.
/ˈwɔːtə ˌnɒt/, U.S. /ˈwɔdər ˌnɑt/, /ˈwɑdər ˌnɑt/ Originally: a type of knot used to join together lengths of fishing line (see quot. 1847). Later also: a type of knot used to join together two ends of rope, webbing, etc., made by forming an overhand knot in one line and following the path of this with the second line.
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the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > fishing-line > [noun] > knots for lines
water knot1496
buffer-knot1885
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > fastening > binding or tying > a bond, tie, or fastening > [noun] > knot > other knots
water knot1496
draw knot1635
slip-knot1679
tie-knot1800
timber-hitch1815
thorough-put1829
fisherman's bendc1860
Celtic knot1865
lark's head1866
waterman's knot1866
packing knot1871
fisherman's knot1876
prusik knot1937
1496 Treat. Fysshynge wyth Angle in Bk. St. Albans (rev. ed.) sig. hiij Thenne must ye knytte theym togyder wyth a water knotte.
1662 R. Venables Experienc'd Angler iv. 51 With a Water-knot..tye them so as both links may hang close together.
1681 J. Chetham Angler's Vade Mecum xxxi. 116 Put 2 or 3 hooks on your line..tyed at the lowermost water knot.
1706 R. Howlett Anglers Sure Guide vii. 81 Tie the Knot-end to your Line with a Water-knot.
1787 T. Best Conc. Treat. Angling i. ii. 9 Your links thus prepared, tie them together into a water knot.
1847 T. T. Stoddart Angler's Compan. ii. 44 The Water Knot, Single and Double.—is completed, simply by laying the ends of the two threads, links, or strands, required to be joined, alongside of each other; then, doubling the one round the forefinger of the right hand and passing one of the links and its corresponding end through the loop thus formed, draw all tight.
1885 H. Cholmondeley-Pennell in H. Cholmondeley-Pennell et al. Fishing (Badminton Libr. of Sports & Pastimes) I. 39 What is known as the single fisherman's knot (sometimes called ‘water knot’).
1964 C. Ormond Bk. Outdoor Lore xii. 232 A useful knot for joining rope together is called the water knot.
2006 A. Tyson & M. Loomis Climbing Self-rescue ii. 39/2 The water knot is typically used to connect two pieces of webbing together.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2015; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1496