punt¹ / pənt/ • n. a long, narrow, flat-bottomed boat, square at both ends and propelled with a long pole, used on inland waters chiefly for recreation.• v. [intr.] travel in such a boat. ∎  [tr.] convey in such a boat.punt² • v. 1. [tr.] Football kick (the ball) after it is dropped from the hands and before it reaches the ground: he used to be able to punt a football farther than anyone. ∎  [intr.] (of an offensive team) turn possession over to the defensive team by punting the ball after failing to make a first down: the Raiders could get nowhere with their possession, and had to punt. ∎  (of a player) act as the punter.2. [intr.] delay in answering or taking action; equivocate: he would continue to punt on questions of Medicare.• n. a kick of this kind.punt³ • v. [intr.] (in some gambling card games) place a bet against the bank. ∎ Brit., inf. bet or speculate on something: investors are punting on a takeover.• n. inf., chiefly Brit. a bet: those taking a punt on the company's success.punt⁴ • n. the basic monetary unit of the Republic of Ireland (until replaced by the euro), equal to 100 Irish pence.

punt1 flat-bottomed shallow boat. XV. In earliest use (E. Anglian) pontebot, punte boot (BOAT) — MLG. punte, punto ferry-boat, mud-boat, corr. to late OE. punt (which did not survive), MDu. ponte (Du. pont) ferry-boat, pontoon — L. pontō Gaulish transport vessel, PONTOON.
Hence vb. XIX.

punt2 at cards, lay a stake against the bank. XVIII. — F. ponter, rel. to ponte punt in ombre, player against the bank — Sp. punto = (O)F. pointe POINT3 (the Sp. word is used in ombre, quadrille, etc. for the ace of certain suits).

punt3 in Rugby football, kick (the ball) after dropping it from the hands before it reaches the ground. XIX. prob. spec. use of dial. punt push with force.