An old statute term for staunch (which see).
·adj Weak; worn out. II. Stank ·noun A dam or mound to stop water. III. Stank ·- of <<Stink>>. IV...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
1) a dam, or bank to stop water. S. 2) a dyke. ...
A glossary of provincial and local words used in England by Francis Grose