What does "blanket" mean?

Additional senses

1. 2.A streak or layer of blubber in whales. Note: The use of blankets formerly as curtains in theaters explains the following figure of Shakespeare. Nares. Nor heaven peep through the blanket of the dark To cry, "Hold, hold!" Shak. Blanket sheet, a newspaper of folio size. -- A wet blanket, anything which damps, chills, dispirits, or discour
2. 3.To cover with a blanket. I'll . . . blanket my loins. Shak.
3. 4.To toss in a blanket by way of punishment. We'll have our men blanket 'em i' the hall. B. Jonson.
4. 5.To take the wind out of the sails of (another vessel) by sailing to windward of her. Blanket cattle. See Belted cattle, under Belted.