Nautical Term: Poop deck
Definition of Poop deck
The poop deck is a partial deck located at the stern (rear) of a ship, elevated above the main deck. This term derives from the Latin word puppio, which originally referred to the sacred deck where the pupi or doll images of the deities were kept.
For example, in the age of sailing ships, the captain and his crew would often navigate through treacherous waters. During such voyages, the crew would frequently gather on the poop deck to keep watch for potential dangers, such as other ships or hidden reefs.
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