Gangway

Origin

From Middle English, from Old English gangweg ("passageway, thoroughfare"), equivalant to gang + way. Related to Dutch gang ("hallway") and Norwegian gang ("hallway").

Full definition of gangway

Noun

1. A passageway through which to enter or leave, such as one between seating areas in an auditorium, or between two buildings.
2. An articulating bridge or ramp, such as from land to a dock or a ship.
3. A temporary passageway, such as one made of planks.
4. (rare, obsolete except dialectal) A clear path through a crowd or a passageway with people.
5. (British) An aisle.
6. (nautical) A passage along either side of a ship's upper deck.
7. (nautical) A passage through the side of a ship or though a railing through which the ship may be boarded.
8. (agricultural) An earthen and plank ramp leading from the stable yard into the upper storey or mow of a dairy barn.

Interjection

1. (to a crowd) Make way! Clear a path!
• 1934, P. L. Travers, , p 157:And he pushed his way through the crowd crying, "Gangway, gangway!" and dragging Jane and Michael after him.