wick

[brisyd]

In the game of Bowls when a wood glances off a previously bowled wood it is called a 'wick'.

Anyone know how the expression originates? 

[Quizmonster]

The word 'wick' has been used in this way in the games of bowls and curling since the 1700s. The Oxford English Dictionary says the origin is unknown and - if the TOED scholars haven't been able to find its origin, it's pretty certain that no-one else will either.
Just as a thought, another old meaning of 'wick' was 'corner', as in the corner of the eye, so I suppose there could be a connection there...ie one bowl just nicks the side - or corner - of another. (Yes, I know bowls don't have corners! I'm speaking figuratively, as it were.)