breeching

 
Pronunciation: /ˈbriːtʃɪŋ/

noun

[mass noun]
  • 1a strong leather strap passing round the hindquarters of a horse harnessed to a vehicle and enabling the horse to push backwards.
  • 2 historical a thick rope used to secure the carriages of cannon on a ship and to absorb the force of the recoil.
  • 3the hair or wool on the hindquarters of an animal.