[f. FLOAT sb. or v. + BOAT.]
† 1. A ship’s long-boat. Obs.
So called because it was not carried on board like the other boats, but towed astern.
1322. Close Roll, 15 Ed. II. mem. 8 (= Calendar, p. 453). Navicula sua que vocatur flotebate.
a. 1572. Knox, Hist. Ref., Wks. (1846), I. 120. Schortlie thare after the Admirall schot a flote boite, which, frome Grantoun craigis till be east Leyth, sounded the deipe, and so returned to hir schippe.
1659. Torriano, Záttara, a Float-boat, or long boat to attend a great ship.
2. A raft.
1600. Holland, Livy, XXI. lvi. (1609), 425. The remnant … passed Trebia with float-boats and flat barges.
1810. James, Milit. Dict. (ed. 3), Float-boat, a raft upon which persons or things may be conveyed by water.
