Alan King on 19 Jun 2008  •  Link

Extract from the FREE DICTIONARY: Calk

1. A pointed extension on the toe or heels of a horseshoe, designed to prevent slipping.
2. A spiked plate fixed on the bottom of a shoe to prevent slipping and preserve the sole.

[Probably back-formation from obsolete calkin, from Middle English kakun, possibly from Middle Dutch kalkoen, hoof, or from Old French calcain, heel (Middle Dutch, from Old French), from Latin calcneum, heel bone;

Pedro on 19 Jun 2008  •  Link

Calkers.

According to L&M they are workmen that caulked seams on ships.

CGS on 19 Jun 2008  •  Link

OED: 3. Naut. slang. a. trans. To stop, ‘shut up’. b. intr. To sleep.

caulk, v.

[In 15th c. calke, caulke (the same word as CAUK v.), a. OF. cauquer to tread, to press or squeeze in with force, to tent a wound:{em}L. calc{amac}re to tread, stamp, press close together, press in. The prevailing spelling for a century back has been caulk, though dictionaries retain calk from Johnson.]

caulk, v.
1. trans. To stop up the seams of (a ship, etc.) by driving in oakum, or the like, melted pitch or resin being afterwards poured on, so as to prevent leaking.
?a1500a1618 RALEIGH Royal Navy 27 Ocum wherewith they Calke the seams of the Ships. 1638-48