taffrail

[ taf-reyl, -ruh l ]
/ ˈtæfˌreɪl, -rəl /

noun Nautical.

the upper part of the stern of a ship.
a rail above the stern of a ship.

Origin of taffrail

1805–15; syncopated variant of taffarel; -ai- spelling Dutch -ee-

Words nearby taffrail

Example sentences from the Web for taffrail

British Dictionary definitions for taffrail

taffrail
/ (ˈtæfˌreɪl) /

noun nautical

a rail at the stern or above the transom of a vessel
the upper part of the transom of a vessel, esp a sailing vessel, often ornately decorated

Word Origin for taffrail

C19: changed (through influence of rail 1) from earlier tafferel, from Dutch taffereel panel (hence applied to the part of a vessel decorated with carved panels), variant of tafeleel (unattested), from tafel table