to cockbill the anchor

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Cockbill \Cock"bill\ (k[o^]k"b[i^]l`), v. t. [See {Cock} to set
   erect.] (Naut.)
   To tilt up one end of so as to make almost vertical; as, to
   cockbill the yards as a sign of mourning.
   [1913 Webster]

   {To cockbill the anchor}, to suspend it from the cathead
      preparatory to letting it go. See {Acockbill}.
      [1913 Webster]