1 a coil or skein of wool or thread etc.
2 any of several measures of length of cloth or yarn, e.g. 840 yds. for cotton yarn and 560 yds. for worsted.
3 Naut. a ring of rope, iron, etc., for securing the staysails to the stays.
Etymology: ME f. ON houmlnk: cf. Sw. hank string, Da. hank handle
Useful english dictionary. 2012.