BITTS, noun plural [from the same root as bite.] A frame of two strong pieces of timber fixed perpendicularly in the fore part of a ship, on which to fasten the cables, when she rides at anchor. There are also top-sail sheet bitts paul-bitts, carrick-bitts, etc. BITTS, verb transitive To put round the bitts; as, to bitt the cable, in order to fasten it or to slacken it out gradually, which is called veering away.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI