E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Stock.
From the verb to stick (to fasten, make firm, fix).
1
Live stock. The fixed capital of a farm.
2
Stock in trade. The fixed capital.
3
The village stocks, in which the feet are stuck or fastened.
4
A gun stock, in which the gun is stuck or made fast.
5
It is on the stocks. It is in hand, but not yet finished. The stocks is the frame in which a ship is placed while building, and so long as it is in hand it is said to be or to lie on the stocks.
