Pressgang

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Press \Press\, n. [For prest, confused with press.]
     A commission to force men into public service, particularly
     into the navy.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           I have misused the king's press.         --Shak.


     [1913 Webster]
  
     {Press gang}, or {Pressgang}, a detachment of seamen under
        the command of an officer empowered to force men into the
        naval service. See {Impress gang}, under {Impress}.
  
     {Press money}, money paid to a man enlisted into public
        service. See {Prest money}, under {Prest}, a.
        [1913 Webster]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Pressgang \Press"gang`\, n.
     See {Press gang}, under {Press}.
     [1913 Webster]