noun / adjective

larboard

LAR-berd/ˈlɑrbərd/

The left side of a vessel when facing forward.

The sailor keeps watch on the larboard side of the ship.

View from behind a sailor on a wooden ship, looking FORWARD toward the pointed bow at the TOP of the image. His back faces us. His LEFT arm extends horizontally toward the LEFT rail on the LEFT of the picture, where another crew member loads a plain crate. Bow clearly narrows to a point ahead; no stern wheel.

Etymology

larboardMiddle Englishleft side of a ship

Middle English ladde-borde named the ship’s left side and may have meant “loading side,” if cargo was loaded there. Port eventually replaced larboard to avoid confusion with starboard.

In context

Epic History speaker6:32

The left side of the ship, larboard…

3D Guide to an 18th century Ship-of-the-Line

Simon Whistler1:21

the left side of the ship was called larboard

Why Port and Starboard Indicate the Left and Right Side of a Ship

More examples

The old sailing manual calls the vessel's left side larboard.
A wave strikes the larboard bow.
The crew moves the cargo to larboard.

Forms

larboard

Similar words

port: Port is the standard modern term; larboard is historical.