gunwale

[guhn-l] /ˈgʌn l/
noun, Nautical
1.
the upper edge of the side or bulwark of a vessel.
2.
the sheer strake of a wooden vessel; the uppermost strake beneath the plank-sheer.
Also, gunnel.
Origin
1325-75; Middle English. See gun1, wale1; a plank so called because guns were set upon it
Examples from the web for gunwale
  • No riding on the bow, gunwale or transom of any vessel.
  • Sitting in any position that is above the gunwale or cap of a vessel while moving above idle speed.
  • Boats had eight willow ribs and a gunwale of willow pole along each side.
  • The line was deployed by stretching it along the vessel's gunwale with weights attached at the end of the line.
  • On a ship, the distance from the waterline to main deck or gunwale.
  • Swamped and with battered gunwale one of the ship's lifeboats tossed against the gravelly beach.
  • It had been hoped that none were killed, but the lifeless bodies of fourteen were seen lying near the gunwale.
  • These two parts of the gunwale give rigidity and strength to the hull.
British Dictionary definitions for gunwale

gunwale

/ˈɡʌnəl/
noun
1.
(nautical) the top of the side of a boat or the topmost plank of a wooden vessel
2.
full to the gunwales, completely full; full to overflowing
Word Origin and History for gunwale
n.

mid-15c., gonne walle, from gun (n.) + wale "plank" (see wale). Originally a platform on the deck of a ship to support the mounted guns.