Definition of: martingale

(mär′tən·gāl) noun
1. A forked strap for holding down a horse's head by connecting the head gear with the bellyband.
2. Naut. A vertical spar under the bowsprit used in guying the stays. Also mar′tin·gal (-gal). [<F <Provençal martengalo, appar. fem. of martengo an inhabitant of Martigues, a town in Provence;? with ref. to tight hose or breeches worn there]