Emily Dickinson Lexicon

HULK, n. [D. hulk; Sax. hulc, a cottage or lodge, a vessel; Dan. holk, a hoy; Sw. hålk. Qu. Gr. ολας.]

1. The body of a ship, or decked vessel of any kind; but the word is applied only to the body of an old ship or vessel which is laid by as unfit for service. A sheer-hulk is an old ship fitted with an apparatus to fix or take out the masts of a ship. Encyc. Mar. Dict.
2. Any thing hulky or unwieldly. [Not used.] Shak. The hulks, in England, old or dismasted ships, formerly used as prisons.