Wharf

(hwōrf), n.; pl. WHARFS, or WHARVES. [A-S. hwearf, hweorf, hwarf, hweorfa, from hweorfan, to turn; Icel. hverfa, hverfi, Sw. hwarf, O. Fries. & L. Ger. warf, warp, D. werf, M. H. Ger. warf, N. H. Ger. werft, Dan. verft.] A perpendicular bank or mound of timber or stone and earth, raised on the shore of a harbor, river, canal, or the like, or extending some distance into the water, for the convenience of lading and unlading ships and other vessels.

Commerce pushes its wharfs into the sea. Bancroft.

Out upon the wharves they came, Knight and burgher, lord and dame. Tennyson.

The plural of this word is generally written wharves in the U. S., and wharfs in England; but many recent English writers use wharves.

[imp. & p. p. WHARFED (hwŏrft); p. pr. & vb. n. WHARFING.] 1. To guard or secure by a wharf or firm wall of timber or stone; to furnish with a wharf or wharves. 2. To place upon a wharf; to bring to a wharf.