intransitive. Of a person: to propel a boat through the water in a manner resembling rowing. Esp. of waterfowl, fish, etc.: to swim or paddle in…

Of a person or animal: to enter a body of water (as a river, the sea, etc.) and begin to swim. Of a ship: to be launched; to set sail. Also (now…

transitive. To propel (a boat) by means of a scull or a pair of sculls. Also reflexive of a fish, etc., to propel itself as by a scull or sculls.