pitchpole

[ pich-pohl ]

verb (used without object)

, pitch·poled, pitch·pol·ing.

1. (of a boat) to capsize end over end, as in heavy surf.

Word History and Origins

Origin of pitchpole¹

1655–65; pitch ¹ + pole, alteration of poll ¹

Example Sentences

In certain manoeuvres, the downwind hull can get buried in the water, causing the yacht to "pitchpole" or flip end-over-end.

From BBC

Exactly what happened to the fishing boat is not known, though the 100-ft. waves of what was called the Halloween Gale were more than enough to capsize such a boat or to pitchpole it end for end.

From Time Magazine Archive