yawl
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Meaning
a two-masted sailing boat with the mizzenmast stepped far aft, behind the rudder post.
a small ship's boat, usually rowed by four or six oars.
Usage
the old sailor preferred the handling of a yawl for coastal fishing.
they loaded the supplies into the yawl to row back to the main ship.
the classic design of a yawl makes it a popular choice among traditional sailing enthusiasts.
Etymology
The word 'yawl' entered English in the late 17th century from the Dutch word 'jol' or the low German 'jolle', both referring to a type of small, swift boat. These Germanic terms are likely related to the Middle Low German 'jolle', meaning a small vessel. The specific nautical application to a two-masted sailing rig, with its distinctive aft-positioned mizzenmast, developed later within English maritime terminology, distinguishing it from similar vessels like ketches and sloops.
Analysis
This word is a loanword adopted as a simplex unit from a modern European language. Its spelling and form were borrowed as a whole.