jetsam

views updated Jun 08 2018

jet·sam / ˈjetsəm/ • n. unwanted material or goods that have been thrown overboard from a ship and washed ashore, esp. material that has been discarded to lighten the vessel.Compare with flotsam.

jetsam

views updated May 29 2018

jetsam goods thrown overboard to lighten a vessel and afterwards washed ashore. XVI. Early forms jetson, -sen, later -sam (cf. FLOTSAM), contr. form of JETTISON.

jetsam

views updated May 11 2018

jetsam unwanted material or goods that have been thrown overboard from a ship and washed ashore, especially material that has been discarded to lighten the vessel. Recorded from the late 16th century, originally as jetson: a contraction of jettison.

Jetsam

views updated May 21 2018

JETSAM

The casting overboard of goods from a vessel, by its owner, under exigent circumstances in order to provide for the safety of the ship by lightening its cargo load.

Jetsam

views updated May 29 2018

Jetsam

cargo, equipment, or waste thrown overboard from a vessel at sea. See also flotsam.