English edit

Etymology edit

spy +‎ boat

Noun edit

spyboat (plural spyboats)

  1. A boat sent to make discoveries and bring intelligence.
    • 1727, John Arbuthnot, Tables of Ancient Coins, Weights and Measures. Explain'd and exemplify'd in several dissertations:
      Mr. Huet thinks that the custom they had of giving the colour of the Sea to the Hulks , Sails and Mariners of their Spy-boats to keep them from being discover'd, came from the Veneti

References edit