coble

American  

[koh-buhl] / ˈkoʊ bəl /

noun

1. a flat-bottomed fishing boat with a lugsail, used mainly in northern England and Scotland for salmon.

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coble British  

/ ˈkəʊbəl, ˈkɒbəl /

noun

1. a small single-masted flat-bottomed fishing boat

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Etymology

Origin of coble

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English cobel; probably of Celtic origin (compare Welsh ceubal, ceubol “skiff, ferryboat”), ultimately from Late Latin caupulus, caupilus “small sailing vessel with a high prow”

Example Sentences

Mrs. Darling went back to her work in the lighthouse, but Grace remained on the beach until the coble that bore her friend away had passed completely out of sight.

From Grace Darling Heroine of the Farne Islands by Hope, Eva

"Gae tell my father and my mother, It was naebody did me this ill; I was a-going my ain errands,35 Lost at the coble o' bonnie Cargill."

From English and Scottish Ballads (volume 3 of 8) by Various

How boldly he steered the coble across the foaming bar, When the sky was black to the eastward and the breakers white on the scar!

From Literary Byways by Andrews, William

By a combination of daring, strength and skill, the father and daughter reached the wreck in their coble and brought back four men and a woman to the lighthouse.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 9 "Dagupan" to "David" by Various

The coble was lifted on to the launching-wheels and run down to the water; then the two men took their places, and the boat stole away northward over the bay.

From The Romance of the Coast by Runciman, James