cutter (redirected from carver)

cutter, small, one-masted sailing vessel, with a rig similar to that of a sloop except that it usually has a sliding bowsprit and a topmast. From 1800 to 1830 cutters were in service between England and France. They were also employed to pursue smugglers, their speed and easy handling fitting them admirably for the task. These revenue cutters were so well known that the name was applied to the revenue vessel even after steam had replaced sails, and vessels of the Coast Guard are still called cutters. The name is also used for a heavy rowboat carried on large ships.

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cutter

1. a sailing boat with its mast stepped further aft so as to have a larger foretriangle than that of a sloop

2. a ship's boat, powered by oars or sail, for carrying passengers or light cargo

3. a small lightly armed boat, as used in the enforcement of customs regulations