adv. [ Prefix a- + cock + bill: with bills cocked up. ] (Naut.) (a) Hanging at the cathead, ready to let go, as an anchor. (b) Topped up; having one yardarm higher than the other. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ See Cock to set erect. ] (Naut.) To tilt up one end of so as to make almost vertical; as, to cockbill the yards as a sign of mourning. [ 1913 Webster ]

To cockbill the anchor, to suspend it from the cathead preparatory to letting it go. See Acockbill. [ 1913 Webster ]