Definition of "gallows-bitts" []

• Nautical, on men-of-war, a pair of strong frames of oak made in the form of a gallows, fixed between the fore and main hatchways, with concave cross-beams called gallows-tops tenoned on to the uprights, to support spare topmasts, yards, booms, boats, etc. Also called gallows, gallows-frame, gallows-stanchions.

The Century Dictionary (Public Domain)