A drawbridge, or its moveable part.
1786. A draw is placed over the deepest water, for permitting vessels to pass and repass.—Maryland Journal, Nov. 3.
1821. The draw [of Haverhill bridge] is thirty feet in length; and is easily raised by means of a lever, elevated upon a post on each side of the draw.—T. Dwight, ‘Travels,’ i. 403.
1837. The bridge is now permanent, though there was once a draw.—J. F. Cooper, ‘Recoll. of Europe,’ ii. 243. (N.E.D.)
1850. Mr. Stanton explained that the object of his amendment was to raise the wages of the two persons employed in attendance at the southern draw of the bridge.—House of Repr., Aug. 21: Cong. Globe, p. 1621.
1856. As the draw veers round, and a passage-way of only a few feet is left at the banks, and that rapidly decreasing, collisions occur, persons are knocked down, bonnets are stove in, hats fall into the river.—Knick. Mag., xlvii. 633 (June).
