LOAD WATER-SECTION. A horizontal section at the load water-line in the ship-builder's draught.
LOAFER. One who hangs about a dock, ready for every job except a hard one.
LOATH TO DEPART. Probably the first line of some favourite song; formerly the air was sounded in men-of-war, when going foreign, for the women and children to quit the ship.
LOB. A sluggish booby; whence lubber. Also, that part of a tree where it first divides into branches.
LOBBY. A name sometimes given to an apartment close before the great cabin bulk-head.
LOB-COCK. A lubber; an old term of utter contempt.
LOBLOLLY. A name formerly applied to pottage, burgoo, or gruel.
LOBLOLLY-BOY. A man who attended the surgeon and his assistants, to summon the sick, and attend on them. A man is now stationed in the bay, under the designation of sick-berth attendant.
LOBSCOUSE. An olla-podrida of salt-meat, biscuit, potatoes, onions, spices, &c., minced small and stewed together. (See [Lap's Course].)
LOBSTER. A well-known marine crustacean, Astacus marinus. Also, red-coats of old; whence lobster-box, a colloquialism for barracks.