towboat

[ toh-boht ]

/ ˈtoʊˌboʊt /

a diesel-powered or steam-powered boat used especially on inland waterways to push groups of barges lashed to it in front or on one side or both.

tugboat.

Origin of towboat

First recorded in 1805–15; tow¹ + boat

Marie pretended to see for the first time the towboat which, a hundred yards or so down the beach, was making a landing.

Sonnie-Boy's People |James B. Connolly
That towboat tailed us just the same, but we had the satisfaction of fooling him.

The Seiners |James B. (James Brendan) Connolly
Both Hicks and Flaherty had grown old in the towboat service and the rules of the road rested lightly on their sordid souls.

Captain Scraggs |Peter B. Kyne
"Ain't so sure about that, sir," stated the towboat man, loafing into an easier attitude.

Blow The Man Down |Holman Day

The Lexington and a towboat were alongside helping to pump her out.

The Gulf and Inland Waters |A. T. Mahan

towboat

/ (ˈtəʊˌbəʊt) /

another word for tug (def. 5)