'Portoise' definitions:
Definition of 'Portoise'
From: GCIDE
- Portoise \Por"toise\, n. [Perhaps fr. OF. porteis portative, portable.] (Naut.) The gunwale of a ship. [1913 Webster]
- To lower the yards a-portoise, to lower them to the gunwale.
- To ride a portoise, to ride an anchor with the lower yards and topmasts struck or lowered, as in a gale of wind. [1913 Webster]