ded for
that of _paymaster_.

PURSER'S DIP. The smallest dip-candle.

PURSER'S GRINS. Sneers.

PURSER'S NAME. An assumed one. During the war, when pressed men caught
at every opportunity to desert, they adopted _aliases_ to avoid
discovery if retaken, which alias was handed to the purser for entry
upon the ship's books.

PURSER'S POUND. The weight formerly used in the navy, by which the
purser retained an eighth for waste, and the men received only
seven-eighths of what was supplied by government. One of the complaints
of the mutiny was, having the purser's instead of an honest pound. This
allowance was reduced to one-tenth.

PURSER'S SHIRT. "Like a purser's shirt on a handspike;" a comparison for
clothes fitting loosely.

PURSER'S STEWARD. The official who superintended and noted down the
exact quantity and species of provisions issued to the respective messes
both of officers and men.

PURSER'S STOCKING. A slop article, which stretched to any amount put
into it. (_See_ SHOW A LEG.)

PURSUE, TO. To make all sail in chase.

PUSH, TO. To move a vessel by poles.

PUSHING FOR A PORT. Carrying all sail to arrive quickly.

PUT ABOUT. Go on the other tack.

PUT BACK, TO. To return to port--generally the last left.

PUTHAG. A name on the Scottish shores for the porpoise; it is a Gaelic
word signifying _the blower_.

PUT INTO PORT, TO. To enter an intermediate or any port in the course of
a voyage, usually from stress of weather.

PUT OFF! OR PUSH OFF. The order to boats to quit the ship or the shore.

PUTTING A SHIP IN COMMISSION. The formal ceremony of hoisting the
pennant on the ship to be fitted. This act brought the crew under
martial law.

PUTTING A STEAM-ENGINE IN GEAR. This is said when the gab of the
eccentric rod is allowed to fall upon its stud on the gab-lever.

PUTTOCK. A cormorant; a ravenous fellow.

PUTTOCK-SHROUDS. Synonymous with _futtock_; a word in use, but not
warranted.

PUT TO SEA, TO. To quit a port or roadstead, and proceed to the
destination.

PYKAR. A herring-boat, or small vessel, treated of in statute 31 Edward
III. c. 2.

PYKE, TO. A old word signifying to haul on a wind.

PYKE-MAW. The great tern, _Larus ridibundus_; a species of sea-gull.

PYKE OFF, TO. To go away silently.

PYPERI. A sort of vessel made of several pieces of wood merely lashed
together; hardly superior to a raft, but sharp forward to cut the water.

PYRAMID. A solid, the base of which is any ri