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

See Examples For:

jolly boat

Both the sailors on board had been drowned, but the Captain himself had managed to make good his escape in the jolly boat.

From Strange Stories by Grant Allen

In a few moments we came abreast of the fort, and in obedience to the fluttering signal, our steamer rounded gracefully to, and put her jolly boat off for the expected passengers.

From The South-West By a Yankee. In Two Volumes. Volume 1 by Joseph Holt Ingraham

At the time the vessel was wrecked, she had four boats, the longboat, two cutters, and a dinghy or small jolly boat.

From Discoveries in Australia, Volume 1. With an Account of the Coasts and Rivers Explored and Surveyed During The Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle, in the Years 1837-38-39-40-41-42-43. By Command of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. Also a Narrative Of Captain Owen Stanley's Visits to the Islands in the Arafura Sea. by John Lort Stokes

In a few minutes, the crew of the jolly boat were observed pulling back in their path, returning slowly, like men who were disappointed.

From The Red Rover by James Fenimore Cooper

I know of a jolly boat as would just do.”

From Quicksilver The Boy With No Skid To His Wheel by Frank Dadd