jess

• POS: Noun, Verb (transitive)

CIDE DICTIONARY

jess, n. [OF. gies, giez, prop. pl. of giet, get, jet, F. jet, a throwing, jess. See Jet a shooting forth.].

 A short strap of leather or silk secured round the leg of a hawk, to which the leash or line, wrapped round the falconer's hand, was attached when used. See Illust. of Falcon.  [1913 Webster]
"Like a hawk, which feeling freed
From bells and jesses which did let her flight."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

jess, n. & v.
--n. a short strap of leather, silk, etc., put round the leg of a hawk in falconry.
--v.tr. put jesses on (a hawk etc.).

Etymology

ME ges f. OF ges, get ult. f. L jactus a throw f. jacere jact- to throw