The problem with that term, Kurt, is that I made it up. I’m referring to the rise of the cap sheer, at each level of the stern; at the break from the waist-rail to the quarter deck, there’s one step in the sheer cap. A little ways before the poop deck, there’s a second step up of the cap railing. Finally, on Soleil Royal, a little ways before the poop-royal, there’s a third step up in the cap railing. For some reason, or other, Tanneron modeled four steps.
Most French ships - first through third rates - exhibit a three-step sheer throughout the 17th C, into the 18th C.