Naut. Obs. [app. f. F. timon TIMON2 + GUY sb.1] (See quots.)
1794. Rigging & Seamanship, I. 173. Timenoguy, a Rope fastened at one end to the fore-shrouds, and nailed at the other end to the anchor-stock, on the bow, to prevent the fore-sheet from entangling.
1841. Dana, Seaman’s Man. Timenoguy, a rope carried taut between different parts of the vessel, to prevent the sheet or tack of a course from getting foul, in working ship.
1867. Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., Timenoguy, formerly [as in Dana; but adds] specially from the fore-rigging to the anchor-stock, to prevent the fouling of the fore-sheet. Ibid., Timonogy, this term properly belongs to steering, and is derived from timon, the riller, and the twiddling-lines, which worked in olden times on a gauge in front of the poop…, by which the position of the helm was easily read even from the forecastle.
