Balk n.
 1. A ridge of land left unplowed between furrows, or at the end of a field; a piece missed by the plow slipping aside.
    Bad plowmen made balks of such ground.   --Fuller.
 2. A great beam, rafter, or timber; esp., the tie-beam of a house. The loft above was called “the balks.”
    Tubs hanging in the balks.   --Chaucer.
 3. Mil. One of the beams connecting the successive supports of a trestle bridge or bateau bridge.
 4. A hindrance or disappointment; a check.
    A balk to the confidence of the bold undertaker.   --South.
 5. A sudden and obstinate stop; a failure.
 6. Baseball A deceptive gesture of the pitcher, as if to deliver the ball.  It is illegal and is penalized by allowing the runners on base to advance one base.
 Balk line Billiards, a line across a billiard table near one end, marking a limit within which the cue balls are placed in beginning a game; also, a line around the table, parallel to the sides, used in playing a particular game, called the balk line game.