breeching

n. 1. A whipping on the breech, or the act of whipping on the breech. [ 1913 Webster ]

I view the prince with Aristarchus' eyes,
Whose looks were as a breeching to a boy. Marlowe. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That part of a harness which passes round the breech of a horse, enabling him to hold back a vehicle. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Naut.) A strong rope rove through the cascabel of a cannon and secured to ringbolts in the ship's side, to limit the recoil of the gun when it is discharged. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. The sheet iron casing at the end of boilers to convey the smoke from the flues to the smokestack. [ 1913 Webster ]