Sailor Speak of the Week – Dock

Definition

Noun

• The waterspace between piers.
• A basin or other device by which a vessel can be taken out of the water.

Origin

14th century. From the Middle Dutch word docke, of the same meanings.

Comments

Most construe the term dock as the thing you walk on, which are technically the wharves or piers. By the above definition, it’s technically the berths where you moor boats.

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.