v. [UN-2 4, 4 b. Cf. Du. onttakelen.]
1. trans. To strip (a vessel) of tackle. Hence untackled ppl. a.
1552. Huloet, Vntakle a shyppe, exarmare nauem.
1598. Grenewey, Tacitus, Ann., II. v. 40. At length the sea growing lower, and the wind more fauourable, the lame and vntackled shippes … returned.
1626. Laud, Fast Serm., 15. That no Tempest may vntackle them,… or hewe down their Masts.
1656. Davenant, Siege of Rhodes, i. I’le to our Gallies haste, Untackle ev’ry Mast.
2. To unharness (a horse).
1573. Tusser, Husb. (1878), 62. But vse to vntackle them once in a day.
1885. Even. News, 25 July, 2/6. I then untackled the horse from the car.
3. To free from tackling or fastenings.
1905. ‘Q’ (Quiller-Couch), Shining Ferry, iv. Groping for the rod, [she] drew the float ashore and untackled it.
