Naut. Also 7, 9 fack. [Of obscure origin; cf. FAKE v.1
The MHG. vach had the sense ‘fold’ in addition to those of ‘appointed place, portion of space or time, compartment’; if a similar sense belonged to the etymological equivalents OE. fæc (recorded in sense ‘space of time’), MDu. vak (enclosure, partition), the word might come from either source. If it be identical with the Sc. FAIK sb. fold, a native origin seems probable.]
(See quot. 1867.)
1627. Capt. Smith, Seaman’s Gram., vii. 30. Quoile a Cable, is to lay it vp in a round Ring, or fake one aboue another.
1688. R. Holme, Armoury, III. 163/2. How many Facks is in the Rope?
1730. Capt. W. Wriglesworth, MS. Log-bk. of the ‘Lyell,’ 14 Oct. Hauled up the Small Bower and Sheet Cables and Coiled them down again in shorter fakes.
1810. J. H. Moore, Pract. Navig. (ed. 18), 274. Fack or Fake.
1867. Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., Fake, one of the circles or windings of a cable or hawser, as it lies disposed in a coil.
