Definition of "water-stairs" [water-stairs]

• Stairs leading down to water, as on the banks of the Thames, where boats are taken for ferriage, etc. (noun)

The Century Dictionary (Public Domain)

• "THE TIDE was rising on the Thames as the Gowan women descended the public water-stairs."
• "He always turns down the water-stairs, comes up again, and then goes on down the Waterloo Road."
• "Then Benito squirted out again and scrambled up the water-stairs and on over towards Cannaregio."