ˈfloat-boat
[f. float n. or v. + boat n.]
† 1. A ship's long-boat. Obs.
So called because it was not carried on board like the other boats, but towed astern.
| 1322 Close Roll 15 Ed. II. mem. 8 (= Calendar p. 453) Navicula sua que vocatur flotebate. a 1572 Knox Hist. Ref. Wks. (1846) I. 120 Schortlie thare after the Admirall schot a flote boite, which..sounded the deipe, and so returned to hir schippe. 1659 Torriano, Záttara, a Float-boat, or long boat to attend a great ship. |
2. A raft.
| 1600 Holland Livy xxi. lvi. (1609) 425 The remnant..passed Trebia with float-boats and flat barges. 1810 James Milit. Dict. (ed. 3) Float-boat, a raft upon which persons or things may be conveyed by water. |