v (transitive|obsolete) To pierce with, or as with, a lance.
v (transitive) To cause to move or slide from the land into the water; to set afloat.
v (transitive) To send out; to start (one) on a career; to set going; to give a start to (something); to put in operation.
v (intransitive|often with out) To move with force and swiftness like a sliding from the stocks into the water; to plunge; to make a beginning.
n The movement of a vessel from land into the water; especially, the sliding on ways from the stocks on which it is built. (Compare: to splash a ship.)
n (context|nautical) The boat of the largest size and/or of most importance belonging to a ship of war, and often called the "captain's boat" or "captain's launch".
n (context|nautical) A boat used to convey guests to and from a yaucht.
n (context|nautical) An open boat of any size powered by steam, naphtha, electricity, or the like. (Compare Spanish lancha.)