limber

n. [ For limmer, Icel. limar branches, boughs, pl. of lim; akin to E. limb. See Limb a branch. ] 1. pl. The shafts or thills of a wagon or carriage. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Mil.) The detachable fore part of a gun carriage, consisting of two wheels, an axle, and a shaft to which the horses are attached. On top is an ammunition box upon which the cannoneers sit. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. pl. (Naut.) Gutters or conduits on each side of the keelson to afford a passage for water to the pump well. [ 1913 Webster ]

Limber boards (Naut.), short pieces of plank forming part of the lining of a ship's floor immediately above the timbers, so as to prevent the limbers from becoming clogged. --
Limber box or
Limber chest (Mil.), a box on the limber for carrying ammunition. --
Limber rope,
Limber chain or
Limber clearer (Naut.), a rope or chain passing through the limbers of a ship, by which they may be cleared of dirt that chokes them. Totten. --
Limber strake (Shipbuilding), the first course of inside planking next the keelson. [ 1913 Webster ]