A crane or lifting arm on a ship used to lower and raise lifeboats or cargo over the side.
From a diminutive of the name David, possibly because the device resembles the biblical David's sling, or more likely from Old French 'daviot.' The exact path is disputed among etymologists.
Davits have saved countless lives in maritime emergencies—modern cruise ships have hydraulic davits that can launch lifeboats in minutes, yet we still use the same medieval-sounding name that puzzles most landlubbers.
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