boating UK /ˈbəʊtɪŋ/US /ˈboʊtɪŋ/ noun2 •The activity of going out onto a body of water in a boat.I like nothing better than to hear of your ridings, and shootings, and boatings. — 1853 •(historical) In Persia, a punishment of capital offenders, by laying them on the back in a covered boat, where they are left to perish. formsboatings