packet boat

packet boat
    n 1: a boat for carrying mail [syn: {mailboat}, {mail boat},
         {packet}, {packet boat}]
    

packet \pack"et\ (p[a^]k"[e^]t), n. [F. paquet, dim. fr. LL.
   paccus, from the same source as E. pack. See {Pack}.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. A small pack or package; a little bundle or parcel; as, a
      packet of letters. --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. Originally, a vessel employed by government to convey
      dispatches or mails; hence, a vessel employed in conveying
      dispatches, mails, passengers, and goods, and having fixed
      days of sailing; a mail boat.
      [1913 Webster]

   {Packet boat}, {Packet ship}, or {Packet vessel}. See
      {Packet}, n., 2.

   {Packet day}, the day for mailing letters to go by packet; or
      the sailing day.

   {Packet note} or {Packet post}. See under {Paper}.
      [1913 Webster]
    

19 Moby Thesaurus words for "packet boat":
      carrier, carrier pigeon, homer, homing pigeon, mail car,
      mail coach, mail packet, mail train, mail truck, mailer, mailplane,
      pigeon post, post boat, post car, post coach, post-horse,
      post-office car, poster, railway mail car