† 1. A board to throw off water; a gutter, louver-board, or the like. Obs.
1417. For. Acc. 8 Hen. V., D/2. In diuersis peciis Maeremii Bordis vocatis Waynescotbordis Waterbordis Shipbordis Englisshbordis [etc.].
1477–9. Rec. St. Mary at Hill (1904), 85. To a Carpynter, for his labour, a principall post & a watir borde, xx d.
1585. Higins, Junius’ Nomencl., 210/2. Deliquiæ,… water boords, or weather bordes: gutters whereinto the house eaues doe drop.
b. (See quot.)
1815. Falconer’s Dict. Marine (ed. Burney), Water-Boards or Weather-Boards of a boat, are large boards used to keep out the waves or spray of the sea.
† 2. A sideboard upon which the water to be served at a meal was placed. Obs.
1474. in Househ. Ord. (1790), *32. If any man come to late to mattyns … he shall sytt at the water boarde, and have nothinge unto his dynner but breade and water.
3. (Written Water Board.) An administrative body having control of the supply of water to a town or district.
1902. Daily Chron., 18 Jan., 6/1. The full title of Mr. Long’s promised measure is ‘A Bill for establishing a Water Board to manage the supply of water within London and certain adjoining districts.’
