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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

PORTOISE

[See Portlast. ]

 

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

PORTOISE

Por "toise, n. Etym: [Perhaps fr. OF. porteis portative, portable. ](Naut. )

 

Defn: 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.