■ noun
1》 the area on the outer surface of a ship's hull where the bottom curves to meet the vertical sides.
↘( ~s ) the lowest internal portion of the hull.
↘(also ~ water ) dirty water that collects inside the ~s.
2》 informal nonsense; rubbish.
■ verb archaic break a hole in the ~ of (a ship).
Origin
C15: prob. a var. of bulge .