Maritime Law. Also 5 ietteson. [a. AF. getteson, in OF. getaison:—L. jactātiōn-em, action of throwing, f. jactāre to throw: see JET v.3 and -ISON. In spoken use, syncopated in 16th c. to jetson (cf. benison, benzown, venison, ven’son), and this further corrupted to jetsome, JETSAM, which also took a concrete sense, in consequence of which writers on Marine Insurance have restored the earlier form as jettison to distinguish the action.]
The action of throwing goods overboard, esp. in order to lighten a ship in distress.
[Liber Niger Admiralitatis (Rolls), I. 126. Quant il avient que len face getteson dune nef il est bien escript a Rome que toutes les marchandizes et denrees continues en la nef devoient partir au gette.]
1425. Rolls Parlt., IV. 304/1. Wool … taken uppon þe see be Enemys, or lost be Jetteson, or be any oþer mysaventure.
1755. Magens, Insurances, I. 55. Whatever the Master of a Ship in Distress … deliberately resolves to do … in throwing Goods overboard to lighten his Vessel, which is what is meant by Jettison or Jetson. Ibid., II. 182. Ammunition, and Stores, Wages or Hire, and Cloaths of Seamen, shall not contribute towards the Jettison.
1843–63. W. Waterston, Cycl. Commerce, s.v. Average, A jettison, or other loss on which average is claimed.
1880. Times, 30 Dec., 12/1. The Mars … was … got off by a tug after jettison of a portion of the cargo. Ibid. (1882), 29 March, 5/3. To regain his course, therefore, the aeronaut made jettison of all his ballast, [etc.].
b. fig. ‘Throwing overboard.’
1887. Sat. Rev., 6 Aug., 174/1. It illustrates more forcibly than any election that has yet taken place the jettison of convictions, of honour, of patriotism.
1900. Q. Rev., April, 321. Mere modernity … involved the complete jettison of every restraining principle in language, metre, and morals.
