subs. (nautical).—‘A trick to duck some ignorant fellow or landsman, frequently played on board ship in the warm latitudes. It is thus managed: a large tub is filled with water, and two stools placed on each side of it. Over the whole is thrown a tarpaulin, or old sail, which is kept tight by two persons seated on the stools, who are to represent the king and queen of a foreign country. The person intended to be ducked plays the ambassador, and after repeating a ridiculous speech dictated to him, is led in great form up to the throne, and seated between the king and queen, who rise suddenly as soon as he is seated, and the unfortunate ambassador is of course deluged in the tub’ (GROSE).
