0 a long pole with an iron hook on the end, used to pull a boat towards you, to push a boat away, etc. --
When the boat approaches a ship s side, the bowhook should be in the bow with the boathook, ready to snag the boat line and make it fast.
That is rather like changing the direction of a battleship by giving it a poke with a boathook.
This man, having laid aside his oars, now stood, boathook in hand, awaiting the inevitable crash.
They pushed and pushed and pushed again, but the only noticeable effect was the bending of the slender pole of the boathook on which Grace and Amy were shoving with all their strength.
Instantly the coxswain caught up his boathook and waved his flag.
He took a boathook, and planted its point on the beach, in readiness to shove off.
He reached forward with the boathook, which he took from Jack's hand, and jabbed at the creature, which did not appear to mind the presence of the boys at all, but continued his nosing of the boat.
