keelson
[kel-suh n, keel-]
- any of various fore-and-aft structural members lying above or parallel to the keel in the bottom of a hull.
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Also kelson.
Origin of keelson
1605–15; < Low German kielswin literally, keel swine (sense relation obscure) < Scandinavian; compare Dutch kolsvijn, Danish kølsvin, Swedish kölsvin
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for keelson
Historical Examples
A sudden shift of the rudder shook the Vulcan from peak to keelson.
The Cruise of the Dry DockT. S. Stribling
I was driving bolts in the hold, through the keelson, with Hays.
My Bondage and My FreedomFrederick Douglass
The keelson was an old invention and shelf-pieces and waterways were soon in vogue.
All AfloatWilliam Wood
The principal keel, as distinguished from the false-keel and the keelson.
The Sailor's Word-BookWilliam Henry Smyth
From truck to keelson there was no part of her imperfect; from stem to stern.
The Wind BlowethBrian Oswald Donn-Byrne
keelson
kelson
- a longitudinal beam fastened to the keel of a vessel for strength and stiffness
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Word Origin
C17: probably from Low German kielswin, keel swine, ultimately of Scandinavian origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for keelson
n.
also kelson, 1620s, altered (by influence of keel (n.)) from Middle English kelsyng (late 13c.), which probably is of Scandinavian origin (cf. Swedish kölsvin, Danish and Norwegian kjølsvin, from root of Old Norse kjölr (see keel (n.)) + swin "swine," used of timber (see swine). Or else from a similar Low German source.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper