OVERWHELM. A comprehensive word derived from the Ang.-Saxon wylm, a wave. Thus the old song—
"Lash'd to the helm, should seas o'erwhelm."
OWLER. An old term on our southern coast for smuggler. Particularly persons who carried wool by night, in order to ship it contrary to law.
OWN, To. To be a proprietor in a ship.
OWNERS. The proprietors of ships. They are bound to perform contracts made by their masters, who are legally their agents.
OXBOWS. Bends or reaches of a river.
OX-EYE. A small cloud, or weather-gall, seen on the coast of Africa, which presages a severe storm. It appears at first in the form of an ox-eye, but soon overspreads the whole hemisphere, accompanied by a violent wind which scatters ships in all directions, and many are sunk downright. Also, a water-fowl. Also, the smaller glass bull's eyes.
OXYGON. A triangle which has three sharp or acute angles.
OXYRINCHUS. A large species of the skate family.
OYSE. An inlet of the sea, among the Shetlands and Orkneys.