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Larboard

The left-hand side of a ship to one on board facing toward the bow; port; opposed to starboard.

larboard is a nearly obsolete term, having been superseded by port to avoid liability of confusion with starboard, owing to similarity of sound.

Origin: Lar- is of uncertain origin, possibly the same as lower, i. E, humbler in rank, because the starboard side is considered by mariners as higher in rank; cf. D. Laag low, akin to E. Low. See board, 8.