Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A small auxiliary steam engine used for hoisting or pumping, especially aboard ship.
  • noun A small locomotive.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun In machinery, a small steam-engine used where great power is not required, and often to perform some subsidiary operation.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun (nautical) a small engine (as one used on board ships to operate a windlass)
  • noun a locomotive for switching rolling stock in a railroad yard

Etymologies

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