balon
/bəˈlɒn/(also baloon, balloon) Now chiefly historical
noun
In parts of south and south-east Asia, especially Siam (now Thailand): a long and richly decorated state barge propelled by oars.
- N.E.D. (1885) specifies the Siamese boats as ‘upwards of a hundred feet long’..
Origin
Mid 17th century; earliest use found in Henry Cogan (fl. 1652–1653). Originally from Portuguese balão, †ballaam; in later use partly reborrowed from French balon, †ballon long, oared boat of south-east Asia.