Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition

Noun.

[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.

Noun.

A small boat, for carrying provisions to a ship at a distance from shore.

bumboat ‎(plural bumboats)

(nautical) a small boat used for carrying provisions to ships lying at anchor in a harbour

a small boat used for carrying provisions to ships