Definition of "davit" []

• Any of various types of small cranes that project over the side of a ship and are used to hoist boats, anchors, and cargo. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "How appalling to think that with a few more boats -- and the ship was provided with that particular kind of davit that would launch more boats -- there would have been no decision of that kind to make!"
• ""The davit tackle carried away, and they are rigging the falls," he explained, a minute or so later, and then went under to head off another attack."
• ""The davit-tackle carried away, and they are rigging the falls," he explained a minute or so later, and then went under to head off another attack."