To fold, or lay in folds. The mainsail, is flaked down over the boom when it is laid in folds left and right to make a neat package. An anchor chain is flaked down on deck when it is Ranged in long loops ready to run. A rope is flaked when looped on deck in figure-eights, likewise ready to run. There is possibility of confusion with Fake which was used by some people in the past as a verb with the meaning of ‘to fold’.