Galiot
/ˈɡæl.i.ət/noun
A small, lightly built galley or sailing vessel used especially in the Mediterranean and North Atlantic.
Did you know?Galiots belonged to the same historical family as galleys and galleons, whose names ultimately trace back to Mediterranean shipbuilding vocabulary connected with the galley.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
γαλέα (galea)
“A type of galley or warship; the deeper origin is uncertain, though the term became central to Mediterranean nautical vocabulary.”
Late Latin
Latin
galea
“A galley, borrowed from Greek nautical usage.”
Medieval Latin
Latin
galeota
“A small galley, formed with a diminutive ending.”
Medieval French
Old French
galiote / galiote
“A small galley or light oared vessel.”
16th–17th Century
Dutch
galjoot
“A small, relatively fast sailing vessel; the Dutch form influenced northern European nautical terminology.”
17th Century
English
galiot
“A small galley or sailing ship, especially one used in European and Mediterranean waters.”