1. a fast, shallow-draft sailing ship with a narrow stern, used especially by the Dutch in the 17th and 18th centuries for cargo transport
Usage: nautical; historical

Examples

• The fluyt was designed to maximize cargo space while minimizing draft for river navigation.
• Dutch merchants relied on the fluyt to transport goods across European waters.
• The fluyt's distinctive narrow stern made it instantly recognizable in 17th-century ports.
• Many fluyts were captured by pirates due to their valuable cargo capacity.
• The fluyt represented a major innovation in commercial maritime design.