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(nautical) Any of the cross ropes between the shrouds, which form a net-like ropework, allowing sailors to climb up towards the top of the mast.
1808–10, William Hickey, Memoirs of a Georgian Rake, Folio Society 1995, p. 80:
e laid hold of the first ratline with his right hand, then sprung to the second, with his left, and so on alternately, right and left, up to the last, close to the futtock shrouds.
1980, Richard W. Unger, The Ship in the Medieval Economy 600-1600, page 34:
That meant it was not possible to use ratlines — that is, to make rope ladders out of the shrouds by adding small connecting pieces of ropes.
ratlines on Wikipedia.Wikipedia 