jolly boat

American  

noun

1. a light boat carried at the stern of a sailing vessel.

2. a small pleasure sailboat for use in sheltered waters.

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jolly boat British  

noun

1. a small boat used as a utility tender for a vessel

2. a small sailing boat used for pleasure

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Etymology

Origin of jolly boat

1720–30; jolly < Danish jolle yawl ¹

Example Sentences

"I do not see how we can, Lieutenant Morris, unless you are going to take a cruise in the jolly boat."

From Graham's Magazine Vol XXXIII No. 5 November 1848 by Various

The jolly boat was launched, and as it approached the land the man arose and coming down to the water's edge, shouted: "Be that you, Doctor?"

From The Story of Grenfell of the Labrador A Boy's Life of Wilfred T. Grenfell by Wallace, Dillon

The quarter boat was missing and her jolly boat was gone.

From The Pilots of Pomona by Leighton, Robert

For the first four hours it was doubtful whether the jolly boat, which was in davits across the stern, would last long.

From The Shellback's Progress In the Nineteenth Century by Runciman, Walter

Just get into the boat alongside, and row to the brig; and tell them to lower the jolly boat and send it alongside.

From Held Fast For England A Tale of the Siege of Gibraltar (1779-83) by Henty, G. A. (George Alfred)