Also 7–8 lanch. [ad. Sp. lancha pinnace, perh. of Malay origin: see LANCHARA, LANTCHA.]
1. The largest boat of a man-of-war, more flat-bottomed than a long boat, for use in shallow water, usually sloop-rigged.
1697. Dampier, Voy. (1729), I. 2. The Craft which carried us was a Lanch, or Long Boat.
1742. Woodroofe, in Hanway, Trav. (1762), I. II. xvii. 76. We had … a launch of ten tuns with sixteen oars.
1833. Marryat, P. Simple (1863), 248. The launch, yawl, first and second cutters, were the boats appointed for the expedition.
2. A large boat propelled by electricity, steam, etc. (electric launch, steam-launch) used for transporting passengers, or as a pleasure-craft.
1865. Livingstone, Zambesi, xxi. 423. Natives from all parts of the country came to see the launch.
1880. Daily Tel., 26 Nov., 2/7. In summing up to the jury, the Judge directed them that to find a verdict of guilty they must be satisfied that the defendant omitted to perform an obvious duty in navigating his launch.
Comb. 1894. C. H. Cook, Thames Rights, 21. On the Thames some three hundred and seventy launch-owners are permitted to endanger the lives of many thousands of people. Ibid., 27–8. A man absolutely ignorant of steam or other vessels may be a launch-driver, to the great danger of the public.
