sheepshank/ˈʃiːpʃæŋk/EtymologyOriginally sheepshank knot or sheepshanks knot, from sheep + shank (“part of the leg between the knee and ankle”); the connection between the knot and a sheep’s leg is unclear.sheepshank means A type of knot which is useful for shortening a rope or taking up slack without cutting it. Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 90 out of 100.nounA type of knot which is useful for shortening a rope or taking up slack without cutting it.verbTo shorten (a rope) using a sheepshank knot.