dhow

or dau, dow

[dou]

noun

any of various types of sailing vessels used by Arabs on the east African, Arabian, and Indian coasts, generally lateen-rigged on two or three masts.

Origin of dhow

First recorded in 1795–1805, dhow is from the Arabic word dāwa

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for dhow

Historical Examples of dhow

When morning at length broke, dhow number two was nowhere in sight.
The Three Commanders
W.H.G. Kingston
He was holding fast on to the side of the dhow, and found some support necessary.
The Three Commanders
W.H.G. Kingston
Thus the management of the dhow was left entirely to her captors.
The Three Commanders
W.H.G. Kingston
Saying this, Adair shoved off and pulled away in chase of the third dhow.
The Three Commanders
W.H.G. Kingston
“If a dhow does come by, we must try to board her and take her,” exclaimed Jerry Bird.
The Three Commanders
W.H.G. Kingston

British Dictionary definitions for dhow

dhow

noun

a lateen-rigged coastal Arab sailing vessel with one or two masts

Word Origin for dhow

C19: from Arabic dāwa

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for dhow

1799, original language unknown, "single-masted native vessel used on Arabian Sea," later widely applied to all Arab vessels. Klein suggests a relation to Persian dav "running."