Gunnel
/ˈɡʌn.əl/noun
The upper edge or side of a ship’s hull, or a type of small marine fish.
Did you know?In maritime English, gunnel is a reduced form of gunwale, a word that originally referred to the upper edge of a ship’s side, not a weapon at all.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
walu
“a ridge, band, or strip”
Middle English
ME
gunwale
“the upper edge or raised band of a ship’s side”
18th Century
English
gunnel
“a common spoken reduced pronunciation of gunwale”
Modern English
English
gunnel
“the upper edge of a boat’s side; also a fish name”