Prō'á, n.

n. [Sp., Pg., & Pr. proa, a prow, It. prua, proda, prora, Fr. proue, from Lat. prora, Gr. πρῶρα.] (Naut.) A long, narrow, sail canoe, used in the regions of the trade-winds, with the head and stern exactly alike, but with the sides differently formed. That which is intended for the lee side is flat, the other rounding. To prevent oversetting, the vessel is furnished with a frame extended several feet to windward, and bearing a small block of wood shaped like a canoe.