Hobson-Jobson: A Glossary of Colloquial Anglo-Indian Words and Phrases, and of Kindred Terms, Etymological, Historical, Geographical and Discursive c10.13058

c10.13058

SANGUICEL, s. This is a term (pl. sanguineis) often used by the Portuguese writers on India for a kind of boat, or small vessel, used in war. We are not able to trace any origin in a vernacular word. It is perhaps taken from the similar proper name which is the subject of the next article. [This supposition is rendered practically certain from the quotation from Albuquerque below, furnished by Mr. Whiteway.] Bluteau gives “Sanguicel; termo da India. He hum genero de embarcação pequena q serve na costa da India para dar alcanse aos paròs dos Mouros,” ‘to give chase to the prows of the Moors.’