dial. Also lerrett, -it. [Etymology unknown.] A boat suitable for heavy seas, used on the coast about the Isle of Portland.
1828. New Sailor’s Mag., 155. The ‘Portland Lerret,’ or boat adapted for approaching this extraordinary isthmus, ‘Chesel Beach.’… A lerret of large size, about five tons burden.
1869. Daily News, 14 Sept., 3/3. Pilot George Brown, with a crew of four men, went in a ‘lerrit’ to her assistance.
1877. Times, 13 Sept., 4/3. In the face of such a sea as was ragin … none other than the well known Portland ‘lerretts’ could have been launched or beached.
1880. T. Hardy, Trumpet-Major, III. xxxiv. 120. The trip in the stern of the lerret had quite refreshed her.
