DOG-WATCH. The half-watches of two hours each, from 4 to 6, and from 6 to 8, in the evening. By this arrangement an uneven number of watches is made--seven instead of six in the twenty-four hours; otherwise there would be a succession of the same watches at the same hours throughout the voyage or cruise. Theodore Hook explained them as _cur-tailed_. (_See_ WATCH.) DOIT. A small Dutch coin, valued at about half a farthing; formerly current on our eastern shores. DOLDRUMS. Those parts of the sea where calms are known to prevail. They exist between and on the polar sides of the trade-winds, but vary their position many degrees of latitude in the course of the year, depending upon the sun's declination. Also applied to a person in low spirits. DOLE. A stated allowance; but applied to a scanty share or portion. DOLE-FISH. The share of fish that was given to our northern fishermen as part payment for their labour. DOLING. A fishing-boat with two masts, on the coasts of Sussex and Kent; each of the masts carries a sprit-sail. DO-LITTLE, OR DO-LITTLE SWORD. The old term for a dirk. DOLLAR. For this universally known coin, see PIECE OF EIGHT. DOLLOP. An old word for a lump, portion, or share. From the Gaelic _diolab_. DOLPHIN. Naturalists understand by this word numerous species of small cetaceous animals of the genus _Delphinus_, found in nearly all seas. They greatly resemble porpoises, and are often called by this name by sailors; but they are distinguished by having a longer and more slender snout. The word is also generally, but less correctly, applied to a fish, the dorado (_Coryphæna hippuris_), celebrated for the changing hues of its surface when dying. Also, a small light ancient boat, which gave rise to Pliny's story of the boy going daily to school across the Lucrine lake on a dolphin. Also, in ordnance, especially brass guns, two handles nearly over the trunnions for lifting the guns by. Also, a French gold coin (_dauphine_), formerly in great currency. Also, a stout post on a quay-head, or in a beach, to make hawsers fast to. The name is also given to a spar or block of wood, with a ring-bolt at each end, through which a hawser can be rove, for vessels to ride by; the same as _wooden buoys_. DOLPHIN OF THE MAST. A kind of wreath or strap formed of plaited cordage, to be fastened occasionally round the lower yards to prevent nip, or as a support to the puddening, where the lower yards rest in the sling, the use of which is to sustain the fore and main yards by the jeers, in case the rigging or chains, by which those yards are suspended, should be shot away in action. (_See_ PUDDENING.) DOLPHIN-STRIKER. A short perpendicular gaff spar, under the bowsprit-end, for guying down the jib-boom, of which indeed it is the chief support, by means of the martingales. (_See_ MARTINGALE.) DOLVER. The reclaimed fen-grounds of our eastern coasts. DOMESTIC NAVIGATION. A term applied to coasting trade.