['m?:t??ge?l]
¦ noun
1. a strap or set of straps running from the noseband or reins to the girth of a horse, used to prevent the horse from raising its head too high.
2. a gambling system that involves a continual doubling of the stakes.
Origin
C16: from Fr., from Sp. almartaga, from Arab. al-marta?a 'the fastening', influenced by martingale, from Occitan martegal 'inhabitant of Martigues (in Provence)'.