boat hook

American  

noun

1. a hook mounted at the end of a pole, used to pull or push boats toward or away from a landing, to pick up a mooring, etc.

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Etymology

Origin of boat hook

First recorded in 1605–15

Example Sentences

In a man-overboard drill, it took me three tries to snag a life ring named “Frank” with a boat hook as one of my fellow students, with great effort, got me within reach.

From Washington Post • Mar. 22, 2018

Staff on the Millennium Diamond used a boat hook to grab her clothing.

From The Guardian • Apr. 12, 2017

Out of the forest gloom comes a long boat hook, it is pushed in through the open window,

From Washington Post • Mar. 28, 2015

With the judicious assistance of a boat hook and a few helping hands, I tied up the boat and snuck away.

From Time Magazine Archive

The man nearly overbalanced, but held on to the rail and swung the boat hook round in another attempt.

From "The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage" by Philip Pullman