jetsam Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the part of a ship's equipment or cargo that is thrown overboard to lighten the load in a storm
  2. noun the floating wreckage of a ship
    flotsam.

WordNet

Jet"sam, Jet"son noun (Also<
  • Jetsam
  • Jetson
)
Etymology
F. jeter to throw: cf. OF. getaison a throwing. Cf. Flotsam, Jettison.
Definitions
  1. (Mar. Law) Goods which sink when cast into the sea, and remain under water; -- distinguished from flotsam, goods which float, and ligan, goods which are sunk attached to a buoy.
  2. Jettison. See Jettison, 1.

Webster 1913