Docking

/ˈdɑk.ɪŋ/ noun, verb

The process of a ship or spacecraft connecting to a pier, port, or station, or removing part of something (like an animal's tail).

From Middle Dutch 'dok,' meaning 'dock' or 'basin.' For ships, the term emerged in the 1500s-1600s as maritime trade expanded. The meaning 'to cut off' comes from a separate older verb 'dock' (to cut short), creating two different uses for the same word.

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