gunwale

or gun·nel

[guhn-l]

noun Nautical.

the upper edge of the side or bulwark of a vessel.

the sheer strake of a wooden vessel; the uppermost strake beneath the plank-sheer.

Nearby words

Origin of gunwale

1325–75; Middle English. See gun¹, wale¹; a plank so called because guns were set upon it

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for gunwale

Priscilla leaned over the gunwale and stared long at the boat which Frank pointed out.
Priscilla's Spies|George A. Birmingham
It came in heavy gusts, the Goldwing careening until her gunwale went under at every flaw.
All Adrift|Oliver Optic
The men have to put their shoulders under the gunwale, and heave and strain with all their might.
Sport and Work on the Nepaul Frontier|James Inglis
Whether she heard him, or by chance, Miss Drake came quietly from within, and found a place between him and the gunwale.
Dragon's blood|Henry Milner Rideout

With some trouble he got to his knees, and the top of a wave that washed across the gunwale struck his face.
The Coast of Adventure|Harold Bindloss

British Dictionary definitions for gunwale

gunwale

gunnel

noun

nautical the top of the side of a boat or the topmost plank of a wooden vessel

full to the gunwales completely full; full to overflowing

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 gunwale

gunwale

mid-15c., gonne walle, from gun (n.) + wale "plank" (see wale). Originally a platform on the deck of a ship to support the mounted guns.