from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Hatch \Hatch\, n. [OE. hacche, AS. h[ae]c, cf. haca the bar of a
door, D. hek gate, Sw. h[aum]ck coop, rack, Dan. hekke
manger, rack. Prob. akin to E. hook, and first used of
something made of pieces fastened together. Cf. {Heck},
{Hack} a frame.]
1. A door with an opening over it; a half door, sometimes set
with spikes on the upper edge.
[1913 Webster]
In at the window, or else o'er the hatch. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
2. A frame or weir in a river, for catching fish.
[1913 Webster]
3. A flood gate; a sluice gate. --Ainsworth.
[1913 Webster]
4. A bedstead. [Scot.] --Sir W. Scott.
[1913 Webster]
5. An opening in the deck of a vessel or floor of a warehouse
which serves as a passageway or hoistway; a hatchway;
also; a cover or door, or one of the covers used in
closing such an opening.
[1913 Webster]
6. (Mining) An opening into, or in search of, a mine.
[1913 Webster]
{Booby hatch}, {Buttery hatch}, {Companion hatch}, etc. See
under {Booby}, {Buttery}, etc.
{To batten down the hatches} (Naut.), to lay tarpaulins over
them, and secure them with battens.
{To be under hatches}, to be confined below in a vessel; to
be under arrest, or in slavery, distress, etc.
[1913 Webster]