α. 1600s–1800s pilot's water.
β. 1700s– pilot water.
pilot watern.
/ˈpʌɪlət ˌwɔːtə/, U.S. /ˈpaɪlət ˌwɔdər/, /ˈpaɪlət ˌwɑdər/ Nautical.
A stretch of water, esp. the channel of a harbour, in which it is usual or obligatory for ships to employ local pilots.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > water > sea or ocean > channel > [noun] > navigable channel through shoals, etc.
channel1536
thoroughfare1598
swatch1626
traversea1645
pilot water1653
swash1694
pass1698
waterway1759
water lane1779
swatchway1798
fairwater1802
swash-way1839
water gate1850
stoach-way1853
seaway1866
swash channel1885
1653 Descr. & Plat Sea-coasts Eng. 26 Further it is Pilots water unto Stockton, for there within, the Deeps soe shift oftentimes.
1731 Regulations & Instr. relating to His Majesty's Service at Sea (Royal Navy) ii. 76 The Ship comes into Pilot Water, where Pilots are necessary.
1769 in W. Falconer Universal Dict. Marine at Pilot (note) A pilot, when conducting one of his majesty's ships in pilot-water, shall have the sole charge and command of the ship.
1864 Times 10 Dec. 12/4 The first branch pilot who offered his services in pilot water to a vessel bound in was bound to be accepted.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Pilot's Fairway, or Pilot's Water, a channel wherein, according to usage, a pilot must be employed.
1959 Times Recorder (Zanesville, Ohio) 30 July 1/2 Both ships were in pilot waters, where trained harbor pilots direct their movements.
1985 Yachting (Nexis) May 42 Positions in pilot waters are determined by visual bearings of terrestrial objects, backed up where necessary by radar.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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