bumboat

[ buhm-boht ]

noun

, Nautical.

1. a boat used in peddling provisions and small wares among vessels lying in port or offshore.

bumboat

/ ˈbʌmˌbəʊt /

noun

1. any small boat used for ferrying supplies or goods for sale to a ship at anchor or at a mooring

Word History and Origins

Origin of bumboat¹

1665–75; probably partial translation of Dutch bomschuit a small fishing boat, perhaps contraction of bodemschuit ( je ) literally, bottom-boat

Word History and Origins

Origin of bumboat¹

C17 (in the sense: scavenger's boat) bum , from Dutch boomschip canoe (from bom tree) + boat

Example Sentences

Young Potter's bill was tremendous, and Mrs. Bumboat bade him a regretful farewell when she visited us for the last time.

From Project Gutenberg