hulk Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a very large person; impressive in size or qualities
    whale; giant; heavyweight.
  2. noun a ship that has been wrecked and abandoned
  3. verb appear very large or occupy a commanding position
    tower; loom; predominate.
    • The huge sculpture predominates over the fountain
    • Large shadows loomed on the canyon wall

WordNet

Hulk noun
Etymology
OE. hulke a heavy ship, AS. hulc a light, swift ship; akin to D. hulk a ship of burden, G. holk, OHG. holcho; perh. fr. LL. holcas, Gr. , prop., a ship which is towed, fr. to draw, drag, tow. Cf. Wolf, Holcad.
Definitions
  1. The body of a ship or decked vessel of any kind; esp., the body of an old vessel laid by as unfit for service. "Some well-timbered hulk." Spenser.
  2. A heavy ship of clumsy build. Skeat.
  3. Anything bulky or unwieldly. Shak.
Hulk transitive verb
Etymology
Cf. MLG. holken to hollow out, Sw. hålka.
Definitions
  1. To take out the entrails of; to disembowel; as, to hulk a hare. R. Beau. & Fl.

Webster 1913