dial. [f. OCornish lester a ship, Breton lestr, Irish leastar small boat + COCK sb.3] (See quots.)
1602. Carew, Cornwall, 34. Upon the North coast where want of good harbours denieth safe roade to the fisher boats, they have a device of two sticks filled with corks and crossed flatlong, out of whose midst there riseth a thred, and at the same hangeth a saile; to this engine termed a Lestercock, they tie one end of their Boulter.
1880. W. Cornw. Gloss., Lestercock, a toy-boat sent out before the wind by fishermen in rough weather with a string of hooks.
1887. Cornishman, 12 May, 4/2. A board, 3ft. long and a foot wide, with a square sail set on the fore part of its one mast (called the lester cock)…—these are the old fishing-machines.
