gunboat
noun
- naval watercraft designed for bombardment of coastal targets
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈɡʌnˌboʊt/
noun
Etymology: From gun + boat.
- Any of the various types of small armed vessels.
“Nothing beats a gunboat. HMS Illustrious glided out of Portsmouth on Monday, past HMS Victory and cheering crowds of patriots. Within a week it will be off Gibraltar, a mere cannon shot from Cape Trafalgar.”
“Knock knock. It's the United States. With huge boats (with guns); gunboats.”