Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Broken-backed \Bro"ken-backed`\, a.
   1. Having a broken back; as, a broken-backed chair.

   2. (Naut.) Hogged; so weakened in the frame as to droop at
      each end; -- said of a ship. --Totten.

Source : WordNet®

broken-backed
     adj 1: having the spine damaged; "a broken-backed book"; "a
            broken-backed old horse"
     2: (of a horse) having bones of the back united by a bony
        growth
     3: (of a ship) so weakened as to sag at each end [syn: {hogged}]