gangplank

[gang-plangk] /ˈgæŋˌplæŋk/

noun

a flat plank or small, movable, bridgelike structure for use by persons boarding or leaving a ship at a pier.

Also called brow, gangway.

Origin

1840-50, Americanism; gang¹ + plank

Examples from the web for gangplank

Dad met us at the gangplank and guided us through the swarms of hawkers and children begging for coins with outstretched hands.
He nudges these officers or taps them on the back when they are mounting a gangplank.
The gangplank grumbles, creaks, and is slowly lowered.
It's a way of turning a possible gangplank into a teeter-totter.
When he gets in the middle of the gangplank he falls down pack and all.
As the miners made their way down the gangplank, they hired spectators to help unload their gold.

British Dictionary definitions for gangplank

/ˈɡæŋˌplæŋk/

noun

(nautical) a portable bridge for boarding and leaving a vessel at dockside

Word Origin and History for gangplank

1846, American English, from gang + plank. Replacing earlier gang-board.