As a noun, it is a large boat used for traveling or transporting goods across water. As a verb, it means to send or transport something, especially goods, from one place to another.
From Old English 'scip' meaning 'ship, boat', related to many Germanic words like German 'Schiff'. The verb sense grew from the noun, as ships were the main way to move goods long distances.
Even when you 'ship' a package by plane or truck, you’re using a word born on the ocean—proof of how dominant sea travel once was. In fan communities, 'to ship' characters is a playful modern twist, turning a heavy cargo word into a term for imagined relationships.
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