Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun Nautical.
- the light upper sails and their gear and spars, sometimes used to refer to all spars and gear above the deck.
- any unnecessary weight, either aloft or about the upper decks.
1791, originally the upper masts, sails, and rigging of a sailing ship, later extended to modern vessels, from top (n.1) + hamper (n.) in the nautical sense of “things necessary but often in the way.”