Hulk

n. [A-S. hulce, a light, swift ship, hule, a cabin, cottage, den, D. hulk, O. D. hulcke, a ship of burden, L. Ger. holk; M. H. Ger. holche, O. H. Ger. holcho, a swift ship, from Gr. ὁλκάς. See HOLCAD.]

1. The body of a ship, or decked vessel of any kind;—especially applied to the body of an old ship or vessel which is laid by as unfit for service. “Some well-timbered hulk.” Spenser.
2. Any thing bulky or unwieldy. Shak.

Sheer-hulk, an old ship fitted with an apparatus to fix or take out the masts of a ship. — The hulks, old or dismasted ships, formerly used as prisons. [Eng.]