Defn: See Pontoon.
PONTOON Pon*toon", n. Etym: [F. ponton (cf. It. pontone), from L. ponto, - onis, fr. pons, pontis, a bridge, perhaps originally, a way, path: cf. Gr. path, pathi, panthan. Cf. Punt a boat.]
1. (Mil.)
Defn: A wooden flat-bottomed boat, a metallic cylinder, or a frame covered with canvas, India rubber, etc., forming a portable float, used in building bridges quickly for the passage of troops.
2. (Naut.)
Defn: A low, flat vessel, resembling a barge, furnished with cranes, capstans, and other machinery, used in careening ships, raising weights, drawing piles, etc., chiefly in the Mediterranean; a lighter. Pontoon bridge, a bridge formed with pontoons. — Pontoon train, the carriages of the pontoons, and the materials they carry for making a pontoon bridge.
Note: The French spelling ponton often appears in scientific works, but pontoon is more common form.
PONTOONING
Pon*toon"ing, n.
Defn: The act, art, or process of constructing pontoon bridges. "Army instruction in pontooning." Gen. W. T. Shermah.
PONTVOLANT
Pont`vo*lant" (; F. ), n. Etym: [F. pont bridge + volant flying.]
(Mil.)