Wharf /(?)/

Wharf

n.

pl. Wharfs, Wharves

  1. A structure or platform of timber, masonry, iron, earth, or other material, built on the shore of a harbor, river, canal, or the like, and usually extending from the shore to deep water, so that vessels may lie close alongside to receive and discharge cargo, passengers, etc.; a quay; a pier.
    Commerce pushes its wharves into the sea.
    Out upon the wharfs they came, Knight and burgher, lord and dame.
  2. The bank of a river, or the shore of the sea. [Obs.]

Phrases & Compounds
Wharf boat
a kind of boat moored at the bank of a river, and used for a wharf, in places where the height of the water is so variable that a fixed wharf would be useless.
Wharf rat
The common brown rat.

Wharf

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Wharfed; p. pr. & vb. n. Wharfing

  1. To guard or secure by a firm wall of timber or stone constructed like a wharf; to furnish with a wharf or wharfs.
  2. To place upon a wharf; to bring to a wharf.