Found 1 items, similar to To lower the yards a-portoise.
English → English (gcide) Definition: To lower the yards a-portoise Portoise \Por"toise\, n. [Perhaps fr. OF. porteis portative, portable.] (Naut.) The gunwale of a ship. [1913 Webster] To lower the yards a-portoise, to lower them to the gunwale. To ride a portoise, to ride an anchor with the lower yards and topmasts struck or lowered, as in a gale of wind. [1913 Webster]