yawl

¹

[ yawl ]

noun

1. a ship's small boat, rowed by a crew of four or six.
2. a two-masted, fore-and-aft-rigged sailing vessel having a large mainmast and a smaller jiggermast or mizzenmast stepped abaft the sternpost. Compare ketch.schooner ( def 1 ), topsail schooner.

yawl

²

[ yawl ]

noun

, British Dialect.

1. yowl; howl.

yawl

¹

/ jɔːl /

noun

1. a two-masted sailing vessel, rigged fore-and-aft, with a large mainmast and a small mizzenmast stepped aft of the rudderpost Compare ketch sloop
2. a ship's small boat, usually rowed by four or six oars

yawl

²

/ jɔːl /

verb

1. dialect.
   intr to howl, weep, or scream harshly; yowl

Word History and Origins

Origin of yawl¹

First recorded in 1660–70, yawl is from the Dutch word jol kind of boat < ?

Origin of yawl²

1300–50; Middle English; yowl

Word History and Origins

Origin of yawl¹

C17: from Dutch jol or Middle Low German jolle, of unknown origin

Origin of yawl²

C14: from Low German jaulen; see yowl

Example Sentences

At Washington state’s Four Winds Westward Ho on Orcas Island, which offers $1,600-per-week sessions that include horseback riding, archery and sailing on a 61-foot yawl, parents of second-, third- and even fourth-generation campers have tried to nudge their offspring higher on the waitlist.

From Seattle Times

The sailors took their 40-foot yawl J. Henry through the Panama Canal, turned south and prepared for a long Pacific crossing to the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia.

From Washington Times

In response to another negative comment, she wrote: “It’s tight on these kids right now. Let’s have a laugh and some compassion yawl !”

From Fox News

Between Mr. and Mrs. Lucas, the Trotter sisters, cousin JT, and Uncle D, we must have made at least three rounds of hugs, “Yawl be careful,” and “See you real soon,” with the Lord’s blessing added for good measure.

From Literature

“Where yawl been? Around the world and back?”

From Literature