dogleg

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

adj.


applied to a primitive kind offence made of rough timber. Crossed spars, which are thedoglegs, placed at intervals, keep in place a low rail restingon short posts, and are themselves fixed by heavy saplingsresting in the forks above.

1875. R. and F. Hill, `What we saw in Australia,' p. 61:

«. . . we made acquaintance with the `dog's leg' fence.This is formed of bare branches of the gum-tree laid obliquely,several side by side, and the ends overlapping, so that theyhave somewhat the appearance that might be presented by thestretched-out legs of a crowd of dogs running at full speed.An upright stick at intervals, with a fork at the top, on whichsome of the cross-branches rest, adds strength to thestructure.»

1888. D. Macdonald, `Gum Boughs,' p. 13:

«While the primaeval `dog-leg' fence of the Victorian bush,or the latter-day `chock and log' are no impediments in the pathof our foresters.» [sc. kangaroos; see Forester.]

1888. Rolf Boldrewood, `Robbery under Arms,' p. 71:

«As we rode up we could see a gunyah made out of boughs, and alongish wing of dog leg fence, made light but well puttogether.»