1) Making fast, on a ship 
Belaying refers to a variety of techniques climbers use to exert friction on a climbing rope so that a falling climber does not fall very far. A climbing partner typically applies friction at the other end of the rope whenever the climber is not moving, and removing the friction from the rope whenever the climber needs more rope to continue climbi...
• (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Belay
Releasing or gathering in the rope while another climber climbs.