A projecting stone pier, wall, or structure built into a river or harbor to protect a landing place or direct water flow.
From Old French 'croie' or Medieval Latin 'croia', possibly related to Old Norse 'krúka' (hook). Used extensively in Scots English for defensive harbor structures.
These medieval defensive structures evolved into modern breakwaters—studying old croys reveals how engineers solved waterfront engineering 800 years before modern concrete jetties existed.
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