The ground-line hitch is a type of knot

Knot

A knot is a method of fastening or securing linear material such as rope by tying or interweaving. It may consist of a length of one or several segments of rope, string, webbing, twine, strap, or even chain interwoven such that the line can bind to itself or to some other object—the "load"...

 used to attach a rope to an object. Worked-up and dressed properly, it is more secure than the simpler clove hitch

Clove hitch

A clove hitch is a type of knot. Along with the bowline and the sheet bend, it is often considered one of the most essential knots. A clove hitch is two successive half-hitches around an object. It is most effectively used as a crossing knot. It can be used as a binding knot, but is not...

 and has less tendency to jam, but does not respond well to swinging. It can also be used as a simple binding knot and is classed among several knots known as the Miller's knot

Miller's knot

A miller's knot is a binding knot used to secure the opening of a sack or bag. Historically, large sacks often contained grains; thus the association of these knots with the miller's trade...

. The Ground-line hitch is also the start of a three-lead four-bight Turk's head.
The knot is named for its use to attach a net to the "groundline", a weighted or lead cored rope on the bottom of the net (especially a gillnet

Gillnet

Gillnetting is a common fishing method used by commercial and artisanal fishermen of all the oceans and in some freshwater and estuary areas. The gillnet also is used by fisheries scientists to monitor fish populations. Because gillnets can be so effective their use is closely monitored and...

).

External links

• An Introduction to the Theory of Hitches and Knots