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Webster 1913 Edition
Portoise
Por′toise
,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.
Webster 1828 Edition
Portoise
PORTOISE
,Noun.
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.