From WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003) [wn]:
hank
n : a coil of rope or wool or yarn
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Hank \Hank\, v. t.
1. [OE. hanken.] To fasten with a rope, as a gate. [Prov.
Eng.] --Wright.
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2. To form into hanks.
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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Hank \Hank\ (h[a^][ng]k), n. [Cf. Dan. hank handle, Sw. hank a
band or tie, Icel. hanki hasp, clasp, h["o]nk, hangr, hank,
coil, skein, G. henkel, henk, handle; all probably akin to E.
hang. See Hang.]
1. A parcel consisting of two or more skeins of yarn or
thread tied together.
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2. A rope or withe for fastening a gate. [Prov. Eng.]
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3. Hold; influence.
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When the devil hath got such a hank over him. --Bp.
Sanderson.
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4. (Naut.) A ring or eye of rope, wood, or iron, attached to
the edge of a sail and running on a stay.
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5. (Wrestling) A throw in which a wrestler turns his left
side to his opponent, twines his left leg about his
opponent's right leg from the inside, and throws him
backward.
[Webster 1913 Suppl.]