dashboard

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. A panel under the windshield of a vehicle, containing indicator dials, compartments, and sometimes control instruments.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. A board or leathern apron placed on the fore part of a chaise, gig, or other vehicle, to prevent water, mud, etc., from being thrown upon those in the vehicle by the heels of the horses.
2. n. The float of a paddle-wheel.
3. n. A screen placed at the bow of a steam-launch to throw off the spray; a spray-board.

Wiktionary

1. n. An upturned screen of wood or leather placed on the front of a horse-drawn carriage, sleigh or other vehicle that protected the driver from mud, debris, water and snow thrown up by the horse's hooves.
2. n. A panel under the windscreen of a motor car or aircraft, containing indicator dials, compartments, and sometimes controls.
3. n. computing, video games A graphical user interface in the form of or resembling a motor car dashboard.
4. v. To organize in a dashboard format.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. A board placed on the fore part of a carriage, sleigh, or other vehicle, to intercept water, mud, or snow, thrown up by the heels of the horses; -- in England commonly called splashboard.
2. n. The float of a paddle wheel.
3. n. A screen at the bow af a steam launch to keep off the spray; -- called also sprayboard.
4. n. an instrument panel beneath the front window of a motor vehicle (such as an automobile or truck), containing indicating gauges and dials, such as the speedometer and fuel gauges, and sometimes certain control knobs or other devices.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. instrument panel on an automobile or airplane containing dials and controls
2. n. protective covering consisting of a panel to protect people from the splashing water or mud etc.