Dictionary entry

Pinnace

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Pin″nace (?), n. [F. pinasse; cf. It. pinassa, pinazza, Sp. pinaza; all from L. pinus a pine tree, anything made of pine, e.g., a ship. Cf. Pine a tree.] 1. (Naut.) (a) A small vessel propelled by sails or oars, formerly employed as a tender, or for coast defence; — called originally, spynace or spyne. (b) A man-of-war's boat.

Whilst our pinnace anchors in the Downs. Shak.

2. A procuress; a pimp. B. Jonson.