docking

docking
    n 1: the act of securing an arriving vessel with ropes [syn:
         {docking}, {moorage}, {dockage}, {tying up}]
    

Dock \Dock\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Docked}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Docking}.] [See {Dock} a tail. Cf. W. tociaw, and twciaw, to
   dock, clip.]
   1. to cut off, as the end of a thing; to curtail; to cut
      short; to clip; as, to dock the tail of a horse.
      [1913 Webster]

            His top was docked like a priest biforn. -- Chaucer.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To cut off a part from; to shorten; to deduct from; to
      subject to a deduction; as, to dock one's wages.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. To cut off, bar, or destroy; as, to dock an entail.
      [1913 Webster]
    

docking \docking\ n.
   1. (Naut.) a act of securing an arriving vessel with ropes or
      anchors.

   Syn: mooring, tying up, dropping anchor.
        [WordNet 1.5]

   2. (Astronautics) the coming together and joining of two
      space vehicles. The joining usually is accomplished by
      bringing special connecting devices, the docking ports,
      into contact, and fastening the ships together by clamping
      devices. The docking ports are often fitted so as to allow
      a passage to be opened between the two space vehciles, and
      thus to permit transfer of materials or personnel between
      them.
      [PJC]
    

41 Moby Thesaurus words for "docking":
      Earth insertion, LEM, LM, apogee, attitude-control rocket,
      ballistic capsule, burn, capsule, debarkation, deep-space ship,
      disembarkation, disembarkment, docking maneuver, dropping anchor,
      ferry rocket, fuel ship, going ashore, injection, insertion,
      landfall, landing, lunar excursion module, lunar module,
      manned rocket, module, moon ship, mooring, multistage rocket,
      orbit, parking orbit, perigee, reentry, rocket, shuttle rocket,
      soft landing, space capsule, space docking, space rocket,
      spacecraft, spaceship, tying up