ˈstern-ˈboard1
[f. stern n.3 + board n.1]
1. A board forming the flat part of the stern of a small vessel, punt, etc.
| 1849 Cupples Green Hand xvi. (1856) 160 The stern-board of some small vessel or other. 1863 Atkinson Stanton Grange (1864) 104 Working the stern-board in was the worst piece of the whole work to do. |
b. transf. The tail-board of a cart.
| 1887 Hall Caine Deemster xxxvi, Carts were tipped up in corners, and their stores..were guarded by a boy.., who sat on the sternboard. |
2. Naut. In phrase to make a stern-board, to go backwards as the result of tacking; also, to force a ship astern with the sails.
| 1815 Falconer's Dict. Marine (ed. Burney) s.v. Board, To make a stern Board, (faire culer, Fr.), is when, by a current, or any other accident, the vessel has fallen back from the point she has gained on the last tack, instead of having advanced beyond it. 1883 Man. Seamanship (1886) 147 Making a stern board. It is effected by throwing the sails aback. 1897 Ansted Dict. Sea Terms 271 Her next course must be in a direction W.S.W...which is actually going backwards, or in other words, she then makes a stern board. |