1. The act or practice of tilting or cocking a firearm, especially a musket or pistol, by raising the hammer or cock to the firing position.
Usage: historical; firearms terminology
2. In nautical contexts, the tilting or listing of a ship's yard or boom at an angle.
Usage: nautical; archaic

1. To tilt or raise (a firearm's hammer or cock) to the ready position for firing.
Usage: historical; firearms terminology

Examples

• The soldier practiced cockbilling his musket until the motion became second nature.
• He was cockbilling the pistol when the officer entered the armory.
• Cockbilling the hammer required a steady hand and careful pressure.
• The sailors were cockbilling the yard to catch more wind.
• Before firing, each soldier had to master the technique of cockbilling their weapon.
• The old manual described the proper method of cockbilling a flintlock rifle.