bitt

UK: /bɪt/ US: (bit)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

bitt  (bit), [Naut.]
n. 

1. Nautical, Naval Terms Also called bollard. a strong post of wood or iron projecting, usually in pairs, above the deck of a ship, used for securing cables, lines for towing, etc.

v.t. 

2. Nautical to wrap (a cable) around a bitt to secure it.

• Dutch or Low German; compare Dutch, Low German beting, in same sense, akin to Middle High German bizze wooden peg, Old Norse biti crossbeam
• Middle English, perh.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

bitt / bɪt/ noun

1. one of a pair of strong posts on the deck of a ship for securing mooring and other lines
2. another word for bollard1

verb

1. (transitive) to secure (a line) by means of a bitt

Etymology: 14th Century: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse biti cross beam, Middle High German bizze wooden peg