Hatchway
/ˈhætʃˌweɪ/noun
An opening or passage in a ship, floor, or roof, often covered by a hatch.
Did you know?The first element, *hatch*, is related to an old Germanic word for a gate or opening, so *hatchway* is basically a doubled-up word for a passageway through a barrier.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ǵʰedʰ-
“to unite, join; a possible deep ancestor of Germanic words for joining or enclosure”
Old English
OE
hæcc
“a hatch, gate, or barrier”
Middle English
ME
hatche
“a hatch or opening, especially in a ship or floor”
14th–15th Century
English
hatche wei
“a way or passage through a hatch”
Modern English
English
hatchway
“an opening or passage in a ship, floor, or roof”