Amayne.
Is a terme used by men of Warre, and not by Merchant-men: When they encounter a Ship, for that implies as much to the o∣ther as to bid him yeald. Amayne is used in this sense also: when any thing is to be let downe by a Tackle into the howlde or elsewhere, or that a yard is to be lowed, or the like, then when they would have it come-downe as fast as they can: they call a mayne, which is to let goe that part of the rope which they held before, to let it downe easily and by degrees: This word also is an adjunct to the greatest and chiefest of some parts of the Ship, viz. The maine-Mast, the maine-Sayle, the maine-Beame, &c.
In men of Warre, we use waving a-mayne, which is either with a bright Sword, or any other thing, to make a signe to them that they should strike their top-sayles: (which commonly they doe, either in the fore-top, or on the Poope) to strike A-mayne, is to let fall their top-sayles.