chine1

 
Pronunciation: /tʃʌɪn/

noun

  • 1the backbone of an animal as it appears in a joint of meat.
  • a joint of meat containing all or part of the chine.
  • 2a mountain ridge.

verb

[with object]
  • cut (meat) across or along the backbone: he learned how to chine a whole sheep

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French eschine, based on a blend of Latin spina 'spine' and a Germanic word meaning 'narrow piece', related to shin