ClipArt ETC
"To measure the depth of; fathom; try or test, as the depth of water and the quality of the ground, by sinking a plummet or lead attached to a line on which is marked the number of fathoms...a and b, arms pivoted to c; d, lead, which is attached to a stem at the top of which is a crosspiece. When the arms are raised into the position shown in A, the crosspiece engages them and holds them in that position till the lead strikes the bottom; they are then released, and fall into the position show in B. The cups (shown in the cuts), on closing, scoop up a specimen of the bottom." —Whitney, 1889

Taselli's Sounding Apparatus with Cups Opened and Closed

"To measure the depth of; fathom; try or test, as the depth of water and the quality of the ground,…