packet boat

noun7

1. •
   Government-commissioned mail ship.

   • She proved to be a barco de aviso, or packet-boat, that was going with letters form Panama to Lima. — 1810
2. •
   River or canal boat that carries mail.
3. •
   Passenger boat.

   • A canal packet-boat leaves here daily at 9 o'clock for Whitehall, and runs through in about 22 hours. — 1839
4. •
   (historical) An ocean-going ship chartered by the government to carry the mail and official communications.

   • But the case of Rex v. Jones establishes the principle, that a packet boat employed by his Majesty to carry mails is rateable. — 1822
5. •
   (historical) A boat that carried mail, cargo, and, in later years, some passengers along a regularly scheduled route up and down a river or canal.
6. •
   (historical) A boat specifically designed to provide transportation to passengers on a regular schedule up and down a river or canal.

   • On the canal is a packet boat with a few passengers visible on top. — 2003
7. •
   Alternative form of packet boat.