DCHP-1 Online
gaff Sealing, Nfld 
n. See 1883 quote.
See also: sealing club
- 1883 (1889) Each of them carries a bundle of spare clothing over his shoulder, swinging at the extremity of a pole six or seven feet in length, which is called a "gaff," and which serves as bat or a club to strike the seal on the nose where it is most vulnerable.
- 1916 . . . Up St. John's way . . . you couldn't touch tea nor pork nor flour with a ten-foot-sealing gaff.
- 1966 The Minister borrowed a gaff and poked the [seal's] carcass.
- 1883 (1889) Each of them carries a bundle of spare clothing over his shoulder, swinging at the extremity of a pole six or seven feet in length, which is called a "gaff," and which serves as bat or a club to strike the seal on the nose where it is most vulnerable.