Cleat

n. [Prov. Eng., a piece of iron worn on shoes by country people; to cleat, to strengthen any thing with iron, from Prov. Eng. clead, to clothe, Ger. kleiden. See CLOTHE.]

1. (Carp.) A narrow strip of wood nailed to something for the purpose of affording strength or of securing a piece of work in its proper position.
2. (Naut.) A piece of wood, having different forms according to its particular use, employed in vessels to belay ropes to, or to lead ropes through: the most common form is that of a piece of wood having two arms, fastened by the middle to some part of the vessel, as the mast or rail. Totten.
3. A piece of iron fastened to shoes, to render them more durable. Halliwell.