davit Hear it!

davit definition

da·vit (dā′vit; also dav′it)

noun

  1. either of a pair of uprights that can be swung out over the side of a ship for lowering or raising a small boat
  2. a crane in a ship's bow, formerly used to raise or lower the anchor

Etymology: ME & OFr daviot, dim. of David, prob. with reference to the slaying of Goliath

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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