treasure ship

See also: treasurership

English

Etymology

Calque of Chinese 寶船／宝船 (bǎochuán).

Noun

treasure ship (plural treasure ships)

1. (historical) A type of vast, multi-masted Chinese vessel used on the Ming treasure voyages, led by Zheng He in the first half of the 15th century, used for command purposes and the transportation of treasure.

Translations

command and treasure-carrying vessel

• Chinese:

  Mandarin: 寶船／宝船 (bǎochuán)