cruise. Theodore Hook explained them as _cur-tailed_.
(_See_ WATCH.)

DOIT. A small Dutch coin, valued at about half a farthing; formerly
current on our eastern shores.

DOLDRUMS. Those parts of the sea where calms are known to prevail. They
exist between and on the polar sides of the trade-winds, but vary their
position many degrees of latitude in the course of the year, depending
upon the sun's declination. Also applied to a person in low spirits.

DOLE. A stated allowance; but applied to a scanty share or portion.

DOLE-FISH. The share of fish that was given to our northern fishermen as
part payment for their labour.

DOLING. A fishing-boat with two masts, on the coasts of Sussex and Kent;
each of the masts carries a sprit-sail.

DO-LITTLE, OR DO-LITTLE SWORD. The old term for a dirk.

DOLLAR. For this universally known coin, see PIECE OF EIGHT.

DOLLOP. An old word for a lump, portion, or share. From the Gaelic
_diolab_.

DOLPHIN. Naturalists understand by this word numerous species of small
cetaceous animals of the genus _Delphinus_, found in nearly all seas.
They greatly resemble porpoises, and are often called by this name by
sailors; but they are distinguished by having a longer and more slender
snout. The word is also generally, but less correctly, applied to a
fish, the dorado (_Coryphaena hippuris_), celebrated for the changing
hues of its surface when dying. Also, a small light ancient boat, which
gave rise to Pliny's story of the boy going daily to school across the
Lucrine lake on a dolphin. Also, in ordnance, especially brass guns, two
handles nearly over the trunnions for lifting the guns by. Also, a
French gold coin (_dauphine_), formerly in great currency. Also, a
stout post on a quay-head, or in a beach, to make hawsers fast to. The
name is also given to a spar or block of wood, with a ring-bolt at each
end, through which a hawser can be rove, for vessels to ride by; the
same as _wooden buoys_.

DOLPHIN OF THE MAST. A kind of wreath or strap formed of plaited
cordage, to be fastened occasionally round the lower yards to prevent
nip, or as a support to the puddening, where the lower yards rest in the
sling, the use of which is to sustain the fore and main yards by the
jeers, in case the rigging or chains, by which those yards are
suspended, should be shot away in action. (_See_ PUDDENING.)

DOLPHIN-STRIKER. A short perpendicular gaff spar, under the
bowsprit-end, for guying down the jib-bo