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n. A small flatbottom boat with square ends, used on shallow waterways. [Probably alteration (influenced by the name Jon) of joe boat, variant spelling of jow boat, perhaps from Scots jow, to move with a rocking motion, from Middle English jollen, to stagger, knock, variant of chollen, to strike, perhaps from chavel, chaule, cheek; see JOWL1.] |
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