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 dhows

Historical Examples of dhows

The first thing, however, to be done was to destroy the dhows.
The Three Commanders
W.H.G. Kingston
However, she formed a strong contrast to the Arab dhows by which she was surrounded.
The Three Commanders
W.H.G. Kingston
The dhows had not as yet, apparently, discovered that foes were at hand.
The Three Commanders
W.H.G. Kingston
Both the dhows were set on fire, that they might not fall into the hands of the Arabs.
The Three Commanders
W.H.G. Kingston
The dhows were reached and their papers examined, then allowed to proceed if all was in order.
Pan-Islam
George Wyman Bury

British Dictionary definitions for dhows

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 dhows

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."