Obs. rare–1. [Of obscure origin. Possibly a misprint for roar.] (See quot.) Hence Comb. war-back, a trough used in salting herrings. Cf. ROWER-BACK.
1682. J. Collins, Salt & Fishery, 106. The manner of Salting. The Nets are haled on Board, and the Herrings are taken out of them, and put into the Warbacks, which stand on the side of the Vessel and resemble Chests. Ibid., 107. It is common to allow 2 barrels of Salt in a Last, of 14 barrels to War withall, that is to rowle the Herrings in the Salt before they are Packt.
