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Origin and history of sloop

sloop(n.)

1620s, "small fore-and-aft rigged vessel with one mast, generally carrying a jib, fore-stay sail, mainsail, and gaff-topsail" [Century Dictionary], from Dutch sloep "a sloop;" probably from French chaloupe, from Old French chalupe "small, sloop-rigged vessel," which is perhaps related to English shallop [OED]. But according to Barnhart and Watkins the Dutch word might simply be from Middle Dutch slupen "to glide," from PIE root *sleubh-. In old military use, a small ship of war carrying guns on the upper deck only (1670s). Related: Sloop-rigged.

Entries linking to sloop

kind of light boat for use in shallow water or to communicate between larger vessels, 1580s, from French chaloupe, from Dutch sloep "sloop" (see sloop). Earlier a type of large, heavy boat (1570s). Compare Spanish chalupa, Italian scialuppa.

Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to slide, slip." 

It might form all or part of: cowslip; lubric; lubricant; lubricate; lubricity; lubricous; sleeve; slip (n.3) "potter's clay;" sloop; slop (n.1) "semiliquid refuse;" slop (n.2) "loose outer garment;" sloven.

It might also be the source of: Latin lubricus "slippery, slimy, smooth," lubricare "make slippery or smooth;" Middle Dutch slupen "to glide;" Gothic sliupan "to creep, slide;" Old English slyppe "dung."

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