[Mahn says ‘f. BULL large, and TOW’; but the word looks like an alteration of the prec., under the influence of ‘popular etymology.’ (Du. bulletouw, ‘a name applied to several ropes about a ship,’ has also been suggested.)] (See quots.)
1858. P. L. Simmonds, Comm. Dict., Bultow, a mode of fishing practised in the [Newfoundland] Bank fisheries by stringing a number of hooks on one line.
1883. Standard, 13 Sept., 5/4. The ‘bultow’ is … a set line, called in some places a ‘trawl line.’
