seaway

From Middle English seewey, from Old English sǣweġ (“a seaway, a path through the sea”), equivalent to sea +‎ way. Compare Saterland Frisian Seegong (“seaway, swell”), German Seegang (“seaway, swell”).

• Rhymes: -iːweɪ

seaway (plural seaways)

1. (nautical) A lane or route at sea that is regularly used by ships; a sea lane or trade route.
2. (nautical) An inland waterway used by seagoing shipping.
   • 1881–1882, Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Island, London; Paris: Cassell & Company, published 14 November 1883, →OCLC:

     The coracle […] was a very safe boat for a person of my height and weight, both buoyant and clever in a seaway; but she was the most cross-grained, lop-sided craft to manage.

3. (nautical) The headway of a vessel.