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Webster 1913 Edition

Noun.

[Perhaps fr. OF.

porteis

portative, portable.]

(Naut.)

The gunwale of a ship.

To lower the yards a-portoise

to lower them to the gunwale.

–

To ride a portoise

to ride an anchor with the lower yards and topmasts struck or lowered, as in a gale of wind.

Noun.

The gunwale of a ship.

To lower the yards a portlast, is to lower them to the gunwale.

To ride a portoise, is to have the lower yards and top-masts struck or lowered down, when at anchor in a gale of wind.

portoise ‎(plural portoises)