Obs. In 5 stallbote, 6 stalboat, 7 stale-boat, 8 (Dict.) stall-boat. [Prob. f. STALL sb.1, in the sense of ‘fixed station.’] A kind of fishing-boat, placed at anchor at the mouth of a river.
1328–9. Exch. K. R. Memor., m. 125. Quolibet piscante cum batello vocato stalbot.
1488. Act 4 Hen. VII., c. 22 § 2. For a singuler covetyse and lucre in takyng of a fewe grete fysshes certeyne persones have used to set and ordeyne certeyne botes called Stallbotes festened with ankres.
1558. Act 1 Eliz., c. 17 § 1. No person … withe any … Trimmenet, Trymebote, Stalbote, Weblyster … shall take … Spawne or Frye of Eeles, Salmon, Pyke or Pyckerel.
1584–5. Act 27 Eliz., c. 21. By the contynewall standinge of the saide Stalboates & usinge of the saide Nettes … the saide Haven and Gull … are become of muche lesse depthe.
1614. T. Gentleman, England’s Way, 19. These men … do set forth stale-boates, amongst the sands in the Theames mouth, for to take sprats, with great stale-nets. Ibid., 21. If that these men will needs vse their stale-boates and nets, let them go where the good Sprats be.
1706. Phillips (ed. Kersey), Stall-boat, a kind of Fisher’s Boat.
1720. Strype, Stow’s Surv., I. I. xv. 71/1. The Stalboats, which are wont to belong to the Constable; and as yet do belong … [margin Ex Rotul. Claus. 9 R. II.].
