GOWA. A witness is so called in India.
GRABS. Vessels peculiar to the Malabar coast. They have rarely more than two masts, although some have three; those of three are about 300 tons burthen; but the others are not more than 150 tons; they are built to draw very little water, being very broad in proportion to their length, narrowing from the middle to the end, where instead of bows they have a prow, projecting like that of a Mediterranean galley, and covered with a strong deck level with the main deck of the vessel, from which, however, it is separated by a bulk head, which terminates the forecastle. As this construction subjects the grab to pitch violently when sailing against a head sea; the deck of the prow is not enclosed with sides as the rest of the vessel is, but remains bare, that the water which dashes upon it may pass off without interruption. On the main deck under the forecastle are mounted two pieces of cannon nine or twelve pounders, which point forwards through the port holes cut in the bulk head, and fire over the prow; the cannon of the broadside are from six to nine pounders.
GRAIN, Fr. A word used in the repairing of damaged cannon.
Mettre un Grain a une piece, to fill up the touch-hole of a piece of ordnance, the heating it in such a manner, that the metal which is poured in may assimilate and mix. When it becomes cold, a fresh aperture is made or bored.
GRAIS, Fr. large stones resembling Scotch pebbles. They are used to pave the high-roads, and streets.
GRAM, the grey peas are called by this name in Hindustan, and is the common food of horses, for which purpose it is previously steept in water.
GRAMEN, grass, in botany.
GRAMINE, couronne gramine, Fr. a grass or gramineous crown, which was made among the Romans. See [Obsidional].
GRANADE. False orthography. See [Grenade].