cockshy

enUK

cock·shy

C0447000 (kŏk′shī′)n. pl. cock·shies Chiefly British 1. A mark aimed at in throwing contests.2. The throw in a throwing contest.
[From an old game in which sticks were shied at a cock.]

cockshy

(ˈkɒkˌʃaɪ) n, pl -shies1. (Games, other than specified) a target aimed at in throwing games2. (Games, other than specified) the throw itself. Often shortened to: shy [C18: from shying (throwing objects at) a cock, which was given as a prize to the person who hit it]

cock•shy

(ˈkɒkˌʃaɪ)

n., pl. -shies. Brit. 1. the sport of throwing missiles at a target. 2. the target itself. 3. an object of criticism or ridicule. [1785–95]