Knarrs

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of Norse ship characterized by its wide and shallow hull, designed for cargo transportation across seas and rivers
2. Referring to a historical vessel used by Vikings, known for its capacity to carry goods, including large amounts of trade items
3. Describing a maritime craft typically associated with Scandinavian exploration, notable for its robust construction and suitability for both sea and inland navigation

Etymology: "Knarrs" is simply the plural of "knarr", a word borrowed into English from Old Norse "knǫrr", meaning "merchant ship". The Norse term named a broad, sturdy, deep-hulled vessel built for carrying goods rather than fighting, which is why it is the cargo ship of the Viking world rather than the warship. English speakers took it up to describe these ships when writing about the Norse seafarers of the early medieval North Atlantic.