E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Board.
A council which sits at a board or table; as “Board of Directors,” “Board of Guardians,” “School Board,” “Board of Trade,” etc. (Anglo-Saxon, bord, a board, table, etc.)
1
To sweep the board. To win and carry off all the stakes in a game of cards.
2
2. Board, in sea phrases, is all that space of the sea which a ship passes over in tacking.
3
On board. In the ship. “To go on board,” to enter the ship or other sea vessel.
4
Overboard. Fallen out of the ship into the sea.
5
To board a ship is to get on board an enemy’s vessel.
6
To make a good board. To make a good or long tack in beating to windward.
7
To make a short board. To make a short tack. “To make short boards,” to tack frequently.
8
To make a stern board. To sail stern, foremost.
9
To run aboard of. To run foul of [another ship].
10
3. To board. To feed and lodge together, is taken from the custom of the university members, etc., dining together at a common table or board.
