flōˈtilə, fləˈ- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Spanish, diminutive of flota fleet, from Old Spanish, from Old French flote, from Old Norse floti raft, fleet — more at float
1. : a small fleet or a fleet of small watercraft: as
a. : a subdivision of a naval fleet consisting of two or more squadrons of destroyers or other small warships sometimes with supplementary ships and air support
b. : a group of ships (as canoes, rafts, or windjammers) with a common objective and sometimes a definite leader
c. : an organization of military landing craft consisting of two or more boat groups
2. : a group (as of persons, planes, or tractors) resembling a fleet of ships