? Obs. [prob. a. Du. balk-en to bray, bawl, shout, cogn. with OE. bælcan to shout, vociferate (which would itself have given balch).] To signify to fishing-boats the direction taken by the shoals of herrings or pilchards, as seen from heights overlooking the sea; done at first by bawling or shouting, subsequently by signals. See BALKER2.
1603. Act 1 Jas. I., xxii. To wache for the saide Fishe, and to balke, hue, conde, direct, and guide the Fishermen which shall be vpon the saide Sea and Sea Coasts for the takinge of the saide Fishe.
