Gunwale
/ˈɡʌnəl/noun
The upper edge or side of a ship's hull.
Did you know?The spelling hides a classic sailor’s shortcut: it comes from “gun wall,” the ship’s side where guns were mounted, but modern pronunciation dropped the middle syllables entirely.
Etymological Timeline
Middle English
English
gunwale
“The upper plank or side of a ship’s hull, especially where guns were mounted”
Early Modern English
English
gun wall
“A ship’s side or bulwark associated with mounted guns”
17th Century
English
gun + wall
“A compound referring to the wall-like side of a vessel carrying artillery”
Modern English
English
gunwale
“The upper edge of a boat or ship’s side, pronounced as if it were “gunnel””