Noah Webster
Shank
SHANK, noun
1. The whole joint from the knee to the ankle. In a horse, th epart of the fore leg between the knee and footlock.
2. The tibia or large bone of the leg; as crooked shanks.
3. The long part of an instrument; as the shank of a key.
The beam or shaft of an anchor.
4. A plant. [bryonia.]