airboat

[ air-boht ]

noun

1. Also called swamp boat. a small open boat having a very shallow draft and driven by a caged airplane propeller mounted above the rear transom, capable of traveling at relatively high speeds through shallow water, swamps, etc.

verb (used without object)

1. to go or travel in an airboat.

airboat

/ ˈɛəˌbəʊt /

noun

1. another name for swamp boat

Word History and Origins

Origin of airboat¹

1865–70, for an earlier sense; air(craft) + boat

Example Sentences

Below an airboat transports residents rescued from flood waters due to storm surge in Crystal River.

From BBC

"Jeremy's a great airboat captain and loves interacting with wildlife & customers."

From BBC

The groom, meanwhile, swapped the camo gear he wears as an alligator tour guide for Airboat Tours by Arthur for a classic three-piece suit in a dark color.

From Los Angeles Times

The airboat’s fan spins to life, and we propel forward, gliding along the murky waters.

From Literature

The Coast Guard was able to rescue nine people; four others were rescued by the other agencies; and seven were able to get to shore themselves on an airboat, she said.

From Seattle Times