sloop

Etymology

Borrowed from Dutch sloep. Doublet of chalupa and shallop.

noun

  1. (nautical) A single-masted sailboat with only one headsail.
    1789, Olaudah Equiano (Gustavus Vassa), The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, I stayed in this island for a few days; I believe it could not be above a fortnight; when I and some few more slaves, that were not saleable amongst the rest, from very much fretting, were shipped off in a sloop for North America.
  2. (military) A sailing warship, smaller than a frigate, with its guns all on one deck.
  3. (military) A sloop-of-war, smaller than a frigate, larger than a corvette.

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