HATCH (5)

Hatch, n. [[OE. hacche, AS. hæc, cf. haca the bar of a door, D. hek gate, Sw. häck coop, rack, Dan. hekke manger, rack. Prob. akin to E. hook, and first used of something made of pieces fastened together. Cf. Heck, Hack a frame.]] 1. 1. A door with an opening over it; a half door, sometimes set with spikes on the upper edge.
In at the window, or else o'er the hatch. Shak. 2. 2. A frame or weir in a river, for catching fish.
3. 3. A flood gate; a sluice gate. Ainsworth.
4. 4. A bedstead. Sir W. Scott.
5. 5. An opening in the deck of a vessel or floor of a warehouse which serves as a passageway or hoistway; a hatchway; also; a cover or door, or one of the covers used in closing such an opening.
6. 6. (Mining) An opening into, or in search of, a mine.
Booby hatch, Buttery hatch, Companion hatch, etc. See under Booby, Buttery, etc. — To batten down the hatches (Naut.), to lay tarpaulins over them, and secure them with battens. — To be under hatches, to be confined below in a vessel; to be under arrest, or in slavery, distress, etc.