wherry

[hwer-ee, wer-ee]

noun

plural

wherries 

1. a light rowboat for one person; skiff.

2. any of various barges, fishing vessels, etc., used locally in England.

verb (used with or without object)

wherried, wherrying 

1. to use, or transport in, a wherry.

wherry

/ ˈwɛrɪ /

noun

1. any of certain kinds of half-decked commercial boats, such as barges, used in Britain

2. a light rowing boat used in inland waters and harbours

Other Word Forms

• wherryman noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of wherry¹

1400–50; late Middle English whery < ?

Word History and Origins

Origin of wherry¹

C15: origin unknown

Example Sentences

The Canaries’ next play Brighton and Watford and improved performances and results will be needed if this Norfolk project isn’t to take on the appearance of a wherry holed beneath the waterline.

From The Guardian

Brethren of the Coast cutlass Plate Fleet wherry topsail parrel belay.

From Seattle Times

The beginners use larger boats known as wherries.

From Seattle Times

Through black smoke and swirling green fire, Davos glimpsed a swarm of small, boats bearing downriver: a confusion of ferries and wherries, barges, skiffs, rowboats, and hulks that looked too rotten to float.

From Literature

He held by the fleece till rescued by a gentleman in a wherry.

From Project Gutenberg