Galleon

Dutch
English:: galleon; galion [16th]
French:: gallion, galion [16th].
Spanish:: galleon
Swedish:: galleon

A term with many meanings, but usually used to describe a medium or large sailing ship, built flush decked and without castles. Galleons were normally somewhat longer and narrower than carracks, and had superior handling qualities.

A kind of vessel, shorter but higher than a galley; a ship of war, especially Spanish; also large vessels used by the Spaniards in carrying on trade with their American possessions.

Although used in the name of several 16th century English private ships, the term itself was rarely used in English during the Elisabethian time [T. Glasgow, MM 50 (1964), p 177]

1608: Fortie or fiftie tall ships, whereof were four of the kings greatest and warlikest gallions [OED].

Updated 1996-06-15 by Lars Bruzelius

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