cofferdam

See also: coffer-dam

English

Etymology

coffer +‎ dam

Noun

cofferdam (plural cofferdams)

A temporary watertight structure that is pumped dry to enclose an area underwater and allow construction work on a ship, bridge, or rig to be carried out; a caisson.
- 1851, Herman Melville, Moby Dick, Chapter 3:
  He stood full six feet in height, with noble shoulders, and a chest like a coffer-dam.
(nautical) An empty space that acts as a protective barrier between two floors or bulkheads on a ship.

Translations

temporary watertight structure

Danish: cellefangedæmning c
Finnish: arkkupato

German: Kofferdamm m
Italian: tura (it) f, cassone (it) m

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