packetboat

Noun

packet boat (plural packet boats)

1. (historical) An ocean-going ship chartered by the government to carry the mail and official communications.
   • For every trunk, portmanteau, chest, box, bag, bundle, packet, or parcel, conveyed from any inn to the Custom-house, and from thence to or on board any boat, passage vessel, or packet boat, or landed from any boat, passage vessel or packet boat, and conveyed to the Custom-house, and from thence to...1817, J. HORN, H.'s Description of Dover, page 119
2. (historical) A boat that carried mail, cargo, and, in later years, some passengers along a regularly scheduled route up and down a river or canal.
   • On the night in question the plaintiff's boat had arrived at the harbour of Moyvalley, shortly before the arrival of the packet boat; and after touching at the Moyvalley side, so as to give facility to one of the persons on board to hand out oats for the purpose of feeding the horses engaged in...1849, The Irish Jurist - Volume 1, page 26
3. (historical) A boat specifically designed to provide transportation to passengers on a regular schedule up and down a river or canal.
   • On the canal is a packet boat with a few passengers visible on top.2003, Janey Levy, The Erie Canal, page 22