Naut. [f. BITT + -ER (prob. as in header, rounder, cropper, whopper).] (See quot.)
1627. Capt. Smith, Seaman’s Gram., vii. 30. A Bitter is but the turne of a Cable about the Bits, and veare it out by little and little. And the Bitters end is that part of the Cable doth stay within boord.
1630. J. Taylor, Wks., 44 (N.). To let fall an Anchor, which being done, the tide running very strong, brought our ship to so strong a bitter, that the fast which the Portugals had vpon vs brake.
1867. Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., 103. A ship is ‘brought up to a bitter’ when the cable is allowed to run out to that stop…. When a chain or rope is paid out to the bitter-end, no more remains to be let go.
Hence, perh. bitter end: but cf. BITTER a. 2 b.
Mod. If he refuse to come to terms, we will fight it out to the bitter end.
