{To limber up}, to change a gun carriage into a four-wheeled
vehicle by attaching the limber.
The bargeman that doth row with long and limber oar.
--Turbervile.
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.
3. pl. (Naut.) Gutters or conduits on each side of the
keelson to afford a passage for water to the pump well.
{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 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.