v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Cruised p. pr. & vb. n. Cruising. ] [ D. kruisen to move crosswise or in a zigzag, to cruise, fr. kruis cross, fr. OF. crois, croiz, F. croix, or directly fr. OF. croisier, F. croiser, to cross, cruise, fr. crois a cross. See Cross. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To sail back and forth on the ocean; to sail, as for the protection of commerce, in search of an enemy, for plunder, or for pleasure. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ A ship cruises in any particular sea or ocean; as, in the Baltic or in the Atlantic. She cruises off any cape; as, off the Lizard; off Ushant. She cruises on a coast; as, on the coast of Africa. A pirate cruises to seize vessels; a yacht cruises for the pleasure of the owner. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ships of war were sent to cruise near the isle of Bute. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

'Mid sands, and rocks, and storms to cruise for pleasure. Young. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To wander hither and thither on land. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Forestry) To inspect forest land for the purpose of estimating the quantity of lumber it will yield. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

4. To travel primarily for pleasure, or without any fixed purpose, rather than with the main goal of reaching a particular destination. To cruise the streets of town, looking for an interesting party to crash. [ PJC ]

n. See Cruse, a small bottle. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To cruise over or about. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

2. (Forestry) To explore with reference to capacity for the production of lumber; as, to cruise a section of land. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. 1. A voyage made in various directions, as of an armed vessel, for the protection of other vessels, or in search of an enemy; a sailing to and fro, as for exploration or for pleasure. [ 1913 Webster ]

He feigned a compliance with some of his men, who were bent upon going a cruise to Manilla. Dampier. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence: A voyage aboard a ship, in which the activities on the ship itself form a major objective of the voyage; -- used particularly of vacation voyages, or voyages during which some special activity occurs on board the ship, such as a series of seminars. [ PJC ]

n. One who, or a vessel that, cruises; Specif.: (Nav.) A man-of-war less heavily armed and armored than a battle ship, having great speed, and generally of from two thousand to twelve thousand tons displacement. [ 1913 Webster + Webster 1913 Suppl. ]