4 definitions found for Bumboat

Bumboat BUM'BOAT, n. A small boat, for carrying provisions to a ship at a distance from shore.

bumboat n 1: a small boat that ferries supplies and commodities for sale to a larger ship at anchor

bumboat noun Etymology: probably from Low German bumboot, from bum tree + boot boat Date: 1769 a boat that brings provisions and commodities for sale to larger ships in port or offshore

Bumboat Bum"boat`, n. [From bum the buttocks, on account of its clumsy form; or fr. D. bun a box for holding fish in a boat.] (Naut.) A clumsy boat, used for conveying provisions, fruit, etc., for sale, to vessels lying in port or off shore.