The act of running about the rigging of a vessel in sport; hence, frolicking; scuffing; sporting; carousing
Originally described the antics of young Navymen who climbed and slid down the backstays for fun. Since the ancient word "lac" means "to play" and the games started high in the masts, the term was "skylacing". Later, corruption of the word changed it to "skylarking"
A skylark is a small brown bird that sings while flying high above the ground. a small bird that sings while flying high in the sky = lark. Species (Alauda arvensis) of Old World lark particularly noted for its rich, sustained song and for singing in the air. It is about 7 in. (18 cm) long, with brown upper parts streaked with black and buffish white underparts. It breeds across Europe and has been introduced into Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, and British Columbia
A lark that mounts and sings as it files, especially the common species (Alauda arvensis) found in Europe and in some parts of Asia, and celebrated for its melodious song; called also sky laverock