Definition

AKA Gundelo

Noun

  1. A ship’s boat or small war vessel.
  2. (North American) A large, flat-bottomed riverboat.

Origin

(First definition) Probably earlier than the 17th century. (Second definition) 18th century. Probably a corruption of gondola.

Comments

In the North American sense, these usually had a high, curved bow and a large lateen mainsail on a short, stumpy mast.

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.