From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Surge \Surge\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Surged; p. pr. & vb. n.
Surging.] [Cf. F. surgir to cast anchor, to land. Cf.
Surge, n.] (Naut.)
To let go or slacken suddenly, as a rope; as, to surge a
hawser or messenger; also, to slacken the rope about (a
capstan).
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Surge \Surge\, n. [L. surgere, surrectum, to raise, to rise; sub
under + regere to direct: cf. OF. surgeon, sourgeon,
fountain. See Regent, and cf. Insurrection, Sortie,
Source.]
1. A spring; a fountain. [Obs.] "Divers surges and springs of
water." --Ld. Berners.
[1913 Webster]
2. A large wave or billow; a great, rolling swell of water,
produced generally by a high wind.
[1913 Webster]
He that doubteth is like the surge of the sea driven
by the wind and tossed. --James i. 6
(Rev. Ver.)
[1913 Webster]
He flies aloft, and, with impetuous roar,
Pursues the foaming surges to the shore. --Dryden.
[1913 Webster]
3. The motion of, or produced by, a great wave.
[1913 Webster]
4. The tapered part of a windlass barrel or a capstan, upon
which the cable surges, or slips.
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Surge \Surge\, v. i.
1. To swell; to rise hifg and roll.
[1913 Webster]
The surging waters like a mountain rise. --Spenser.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Naut.) To slip along a windlass.
[1913 Webster]