dhow

American  

[dou] / daʊ /

Or dau,

noun

1. any of various types of sailing vessels used by Arabs on the east African, Arabian, and Indian coasts, generally lateen-rigged on two or three masts.

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dhow British  

/ daʊ /

noun

1. a lateen-rigged coastal Arab sailing vessel with one or two masts

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Etymology

Origin of dhow

First recorded in 1795–1805, dhow is from the Arabic word dāwa

Explanation

A dhow is a sailing vessel used to transport heavy merchandise in the Indian Ocean and Red Sea. A dhow has a long, narrow hull and is propelled only by its sail. Historians aren't sure who invented the dhow — Indians or Arabs — but they do know the first ones appeared before 600 C.E. Today the term generally refers to all sailing ships in that region with one or two masts and triangular or quadrilateral-shaped sails. Dhows are commonly used to transport commercial goods like timber, fish, and dates between East Africa and the Persian Gulf.

Example Sentences

Flohr, 38, says her favorite adventure is sailing on a traditional Mozambican dhow, or fishing boat, to a remote island nearby, where a picnic awaits.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 9, 2025

Diamond spends several days tracking a suspect fishing vessel, or dhow.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2024

Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team, boarded an unflagged vessel described as a dhow in international waters of the Arabian Sea, off the coast of Somalia.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 23, 2024

During that nighttime commando mission, according to the U.S. military, American troops boarded a small boat, called a dhow, and seized weapons including Iranian made ballistic-missile and cruise-missile components bound for Yemen.

From New York Times • Jan. 22, 2024

When at length they reappeared, the captain led Mostyn to a fairly spacious but low-roofed cabin on the port side of the dhow, and immediately abaft the poop bulkhead.

From The Wireless Officer by Westerman, Percy F. (Percy Francis)