society > travel > travel by water > vessel, ship, or boat > equipment of vessel > ropes or chains other than rigging or cable > [noun] > sweeping wire or rope (4)
sweep1775
A length of cable used for sweeping the bottom of the sea, in mine-laying, mine-sweeping, etc.
sweep-rope1848
= sweep, n. 30.
sweep wire1909
a wire used in sweeping for something under water.