*limber*

v. i. [ From Climb; cf. Clamber. ] To climb; to mount with effort; to clamber. [ Obs. ] Tusser. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ For limmer, Icel. limar branches, boughs, pl. of lim; akin to E. limb. See Limb a branch. ] 1. pl. The shafts or thills of a wagon or carriage. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Mil.) The detachable fore part of a gun carriage, consisting of two wheels, an axle, and a shaft to which the horses are attached. On top is an ammunition box upon which the cannoneers sit. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. pl. (Naut.) Gutters or conduits on each side of the keelson to afford a passage for water to the pump well. [ 1913 Webster ]

Limber boards (Naut.), short pieces of plank forming part of the lining of a ship's floor immediately above the timbers, so as to prevent the limbers from becoming clogged. --
Limber box or
Limber chest (Mil.), a box on the limber for carrying ammunition. --
Limber rope,
Limber chain or
Limber clearer (Naut.), a rope or chain passing through the limbers of a ship, by which they may be cleared of dirt that chokes them. Totten. --
Limber strake (Shipbuilding), the first course of inside planking next the keelson. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Limbered p. pr. & vb. n. Limbering. ] (Mil.) To attach to the limber; as, to limber a gun. [ 1913 Webster ]

To limber up, to change a gun carriage into a four-wheeled vehicle by attaching the limber. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Akin to limp, a. √125. See Limp, a. ] Easily bent; flexible; pliant; yielding. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

The bargeman that doth row with long and limber oar. Turbervile. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To cause to become limber; to make flexible or pliant. Richardson. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being limber; flexibleness. Boyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ 1st pref. un- + limber. ] (Mil.) To detach the limber from; as, to unlimber a gun. [ 1913 Webster ]