Hoy

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /hɔɪ/

Definitions

1. A light boat with a broad beam used for transporting goods or passengers across a body of water
2. A type of small vessel typically propelled by sails or paddles, often employed in fishing or commerce
3. A vessel designed for shallow waters, frequently utilized for loading, unloading, or ferrying purposes

Etymology: Hoys were small vessels built for shallow water, and the name is likely borrowed from Dutch or a related Low Countries language. English took it for craft that could reach places larger ships could not, and it came to mean boats used for loading, unloading, and ferrying goods between ships and shore. The word may be related to "hoist" and "hoick," verbs for lifting or jerking something up, which would suit a boat whose work was moving cargo on and off larger vessels. The link is uncertain. It has also been suggested that the word is connected to "ahoy," the call shouted to hail a ship, but this is not firmly established.

Synonyms: boat, craft, vessel, yacht, ship