Definition of "water-house" [water-house]

• A house or dwelling upon the water; a ship. (noun)

The Century Dictionary (Public Domain)

• "After they had built their water-house and laid their pipes, it occurred to them that the place was suitable for junketing."
• "He assented, and admitted us very obligingly, giving us meantime a graphic description of the yearly journey of the Inspector in a boat down the dark passage to New York, and pointing out the low narrow place of entry from the water-house where they must lie down in the boat."
• "Unfortunately Ida and I had worn slippers, not having expected to walk, and there was only one umbrella in the party -- our little parasols with their crape borders and bows being more suitable for ornament than service; however, we scrambled up the steep bank as best we could, and ran to the protecting doorway of the water-house (the house itself was locked as it was Sunday)."