TAUT

Taut (?), a. [[Dan. tæt; akin to E. tight. See Tight.]] 1. 1. (Naut.) Tight; stretched; not slack; — said esp. of a rope that is tightly strained.
2. 2. Sung; close; firm; secure.
Taut hand (Naut.), a sailor's term for an officer who is severe in discipline.