tag boat

noun

1. a small rowboat usually towed astern of a larger vessel.

Word History and Origins

Origin of tag boat¹

An Americanism dating back to 1890–95

Example Sentences

A 20-foot-long carbon-fiber pole extended beyond the bow and stern of the tag boat.

From Scientific American

As the tag boat neared the whales, Zitterbart raised the pole and then, at exactly the right moment, cast it down with just enough force to plunk the tag securely onto one of the animals.

From Scientific American