dhow
or dau, dow
[dou]
- 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.
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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 dhows
Historical Examples
The first thing, however, to be done was to destroy the dhows.
The Three CommandersW.H.G. Kingston
However, she formed a strong contrast to the Arab dhows by which she was surrounded.
The Three CommandersW.H.G. Kingston
The dhows had not as yet, apparently, discovered that foes were at hand.
The Three CommandersW.H.G. Kingston
Both the dhows were set on fire, that they might not fall into the hands of the Arabs.
The Three CommandersW.H.G. Kingston
The dhows were reached and their papers examined, then allowed to proceed if all was in order.
Pan-IslamGeorge Wyman Bury
dhow
- a lateen-rigged coastal Arab sailing vessel with one or two masts
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Word Origin
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 dhows
dhow
n.
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."
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper