Definition

Noun

  • The management of a ship or boat’s movements.

Origin

Probably earlier than the 15th century. From French, and previously Latin term, navigatere, meaning to navigate. Also from the Latin terms, navis, meaning ship, and ago, meaning to drive.

Comments

Navigation (at sea) is a very broad term encompassing a variety of disciplines; each with its own history and technique. There’s coastal navigation, open ocean navigation, celestial navigation, radio navigation, hyperbolic navigation, inertial navigation, and satellite navigation.

References

Kemp, P. (1994). The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. Oxford University Press.

Rogers, J.G. (1985). Origins of Sea Terms. Mystic Seaport.