renk
/rɛŋk/(also rank, ronk) English regional (north-east. ). Coal Mining. Now historical
noun
The distance a putter must cover in bringing coal from the workings, originally used to determine the level of any particular putter's wages.
Origin
Mid 19th century; earliest use found in William Brockett (bap. 1788, d. 1842), antiquary. Origin uncertain. Perhaps a specific sense development of rank.