from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Leash \Leash\ (l[=e]sh), n. [OE. lese, lees, leece, OF. lesse,
F. laisse, LL. laxa, fr. L. laxus loose. See {Lax}.]
1. A thong of leather, or a long cord, by which a person may
hold or restrain an animal, such as a falconer holding his
hawk, or a courser his dog. For dogs and cats, the leash
is commonly attached to a collar around the neck of the
animal.
[1913 Webster]
Even like a fawning greyhound in the leash. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Sporting) A brace and a half; a tierce; three; three
creatures of any kind, especially greyhounds, foxes,
bucks, and hares; hence, the number three in general.
[1913 Webster]
[I] kept my chamber a leash of days. --B. Jonson.
[1913 Webster]
Then were I wealthier than a leash of kings.
--Tennyson.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Weaving) A string with a loop at the end for lifting warp
threads, in a loom.
[1913 Webster]
{To keep (a person) on a short leash} to maintain close
control over the activities of (a person).
[PJC]