barrel knot

noun

: either of two knots used for tying fishing leaders together:

a

: a knot made by twisting the ends of two standing parts one around the other usually two or three times and then pushing the ends back through the center twist

called also blood knot

b

: a knot made by tying double or triple overhand knots with each end around the opposite standing part

called also double Englishman's knot, double fisherman's knot, grapevine knot

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!