WATH. A passage or ford through a river.
WATTLES. A kind of hair or small bristles near the mouth and nostrils of certain fish. Also, hurdles made by weaving twigs together.
WAVE [from the Anglo-Saxon wæg]. A volume of water rising in surges above the general level, and elevated in proportion to the wind.
WAVESON. Such goods as after shipwreck appear floating on the waves. (See [Flotsam].)
WAVING. Signals made by arm or otherwise to a vessel to come near or keep off.
WAY. Is sometimes the same as the ship's rake or run, forward or backward, but is most commonly understood of her sailing. Way is often used for wake. Thus when she begins her motion she is said to be under way; and when that motion increases, to have fresh-way through the water. Hence, also, she is said to have head-way or stern-way, to gather way or to lose way, &c. (See [Wind's-way].)—Gangway, means a clear space to pass. The gangway is the side space between the forecastle and quarter-deck.
'WAY ALOFT! or 'Way up! The command when the crew are required aloft to loose, reef, furl sails, or man yards, &c.
WAY-GATE. The tail-race of a mill.
WAYS. Balks laid down for rolling weights along.—Launching-ways. Two parallel platforms of solid timber, one on each side of the keel of a vessel while building, and on which her cradle slides on launching.
WEAL. A wicker basket used for catching eels.