[f. CANT sb.1, or its Romanic cognates + -IC.] Cantic quoins (coins): ‘short three-edged pieces of wood to steady casks from labouring against each other’ (Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk.). Cf. also CANTLING 2.
1727–51. Chambers, Cycl., s.v. Quoin, Cantic Quoins are short, three legged [? edged] quoins, put between casks to keep them steady. Ibid. (1753), Supp., Canting coins, in ship building, the same as cantic coins.
