towboat

[ toh-boht ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a diesel-powered or steam-powered boat used especially on inland waterways to push groups of barges lashed to it in front or on one side or both.
tugboat.

towboat

/ ˈtəʊˌbəʊt /

Origin of towboat¹

First recorded in 1805–15; tow ¹ + boat

"Your passenger is not going back with you, sir," he called down over the rail to the towboat captain.

"Ain't so sure about that, sir," stated the towboat man, loafing into an easier attitude.

The towboat man was not enough interested to listen to statements concerning the Conomo's condition.

Both Hicks and Flaherty had grown old in the towboat service and the rules of the road rested lightly on their sordid souls.

The towboat men held a council of war and decided to drown Scraggs out.

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