An Universal Dictionary of the Marine / Or, a Copious Explanation of the Technical Terms and Phrases Employed in the Construction, Equipment, Furniture, Machinery, Movements, and Military Operations of a Ship. Illustrated With Variety of Original Designs of Shipping, in Different Situations; Together With Separate Views of Their Masts, Sails, Yards, and Rigging. to Which Is Annexed, a Translation of the French Sea-terms and Phrases, Collected from the Works of Mess. Du Hamel, Aubin, Saverien, &c.

by William Falconer

Défenses pour chaloupes, loose skeeds hung over a ship’s sides occasionally, to preserve the boats from being damaged when they are hoisted into, or out of, the ship.

DÉFERLER, to loose or heave out the sails. See Déployer.

DÉFIE du vent, you are all in the wind, keep her full! an information or caution to the helmsman, that the ship is too near the wind; implying that he should keep her farther off, or more to leeward, to fill the sails.

Défie l’ancre du bord, bear off the anchor! the order to keep the fluke or bill of the anchor off from the side, to prevent it from tearing the planks at the time of hoisting the fluke up, to be secured by the shank-painter.

DÉFIER, to bear off, as a ship from a wharf, or one vessel from another, to prevent either from being bruised or damaged by rubbing, striking, &c.

DÉFUNER, to unrig a ship, to strip a mast, &c.

DÉGAGER un vaisseau, to rescue a ship from the possession, attack, or pursuit, of an enemy.

DÉGARNIR le cabestan, to unrig the capstern, by taking off the viol and unshipping the bars.

Dégarnir un vaisseau, to unrig or dismantle a ship. See Degréer.

DÉGAUCHIR, to bevel or form a piece of timber, so as to fit aptly the place for which it is designed.