\Plank\, n. [OE. planke, OF. planque, planche, F. planche,
fr. L. planca; cf. Gr. ?, ?, anything flat and broad. Cf.
{Planch}.]
1. A broad piece of sawed timber, differing from a board only
   in being thicker. See {Board}.
2. Fig.: That which supports or upholds, as a board does a
   swimmer.
         His charity is a better plank than the faith of an
         intolerant and bitter-minded bigot.   --Southey.
3. One of the separate articles in a declaration of the
   principles of a party or cause; as, a plank in the
   national platform. [Cant]
{Plank road}, or {Plank way}, a road surface formed of
   planks. [U.S.]
{To walk the plank}, to walk along a plank laid across the
   bulwark of a ship, until one overbalances it and falls
   into the sea; -- a method of disposing of captives
   practiced by pirates.

\Plank\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Planked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Planking}.]
1. To cover or lay with planks; as, to plank a floor or a
   ship. ``Planked with pine.'' --Dryden.
2. To lay down, as on a plank or table; to stake or pay cash;
   as, to plank money in a wager. [Colloq. U.S.]
3. To harden, as hat bodies, by felting.
4. (Wooden Manuf.) To splice together the ends of slivers of
   wool, for subsequent drawing.
{Planked shad}, shad split open, fastened to a plank, and
   roasted before a wood fire.