jess

noun

1. a short strap fastened around the leg of a hawk and attached to the leash.

verb (used with object)

2. to put jesses on (a hawk).

noun

1. a male or female given name, form of Jesse, Jessie, or Jessica.

noun

1. a short leather strap, one end of which is permanently attached to the leg of a hawk or falcon while the other can be attached to a leash

verb

2. (tr) to put jesses on (a hawk or falcon)

n.

leg-strap used in hawking and falconry, mid-14c., from Old French jes “straps fastened round the legs of a falcon,” plural of jet, literally “cast, throw,” from Latin iactus “a throw, cast,” from iacere (see jet (v.)). Related: Jesses.