Wharf — Defs

01 n. A structure or platform of timber, masonry, iron, earth, or other material, built on the shore of a harbor, river, canal, or the like, and …

pl. Wharfs, Wharves ((#))

1.
A structure or platform of timber, masonry, iron, earth, or other material, built on the shore of a harbor, river, canal, or the like, and usually extending from the shore to deep water, so that vessels may lie close alongside to receive and discharge cargo, passengers, etc.; a quay; a pier.
“Commerce pushes its wharves into the sea.” — Bancroft.

“Out upon the wharfs they came, Knight and burgher, lord and dame.” — Tennyson.
2.
The bank of a river, or the shore of the sea.[Obs.]

Phrases & compounds

Wharf boat — a kind of boat moored at the bank of a river, and used for a wharf, in places where the height of the water is so variable that a fixed wharf would be useless.

Wharf rat — The common brown rat.

02 v. t. To guard or secure by a firm wall of timber or stone constructed like a wharf; to furnish with a wharf or wharfs.

imp. & p. p. Wharfed; p. pr. & vb. n. Wharfing

1.
To guard or secure by a firm wall of timber or stone constructed like a wharf; to furnish with a wharf or wharfs.
2.
To place upon a wharf; to bring to a wharf.