1. a fast sailing vessel with one or more masts, used in Southeast Asian waters, especially in the Indian Ocean and China Sea
Usage: nautical; also spelled prau, proa, or prahu

Examples

• The merchant fleet included several praos that could navigate shallow coastal waters.
• Historically, praos were favored by traders traveling between the Indonesian islands.
• The captain steered the prao skillfully through the narrow strait.
• Praos typically featured outriggers to improve stability in rough seas.