Dāv'it or Dā'vit, n.

n. [Fr. davier, davie, perhaps from Lat. Davus, a name given to Roman slaves.] (Naut.) (a.) A spar used on board of ships, as a crane to hoist the flukes of the anchor to the top of the bow, without injuring the sides of the ship;—called the fish-davit. (b.) (pl.) Pieces of timber or iron, projecting over a ship’s side or stern, having tackle to raise a boat by;—called also boat-davits. Totten.