pavisade

See also: påvisade

English

Noun

pavisade (plural pavisades)

1. A row of shields hung on the side of a ship to protect it at war and discourage boarding by enemies.
   • 1786, Francis Grose, A Treatise on Ancient Armour and Weapons, page 27:

     Pavaches were sometimes supported by props; they were also used at sea to defend the sides of vessels, like the present netting of our ships of war; this defence was called a pavisade, it may be seen in the representation of ancient ships.