Main Entry: ¹buoy

Pronunciation: \ˈbü-ē, ˈbȯi\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English boye, probably from Middle Dutch boeye; akin to Old High German bouhhan sign — more at beacon

Date: 13th century

1 : float 2; especially : a floating object moored to the bottom to mark a channel or something (as a shoal) lying under the water
2 : life buoy

[buoy illustration]