DRAUGHT, the depth of a body of water necessary to float a ship: hence a ship is said to draw so many feet of water, when she is borne up by a column of water of that particular depth. Thus, if it requires a body of water whose depth is equal to 12 feet, to float or buoy up a ship on its surface, she is said to draw 12 feet water; and that this draught may be more readily known, the feet are marked on the stem and stern post, regularly from the keel upwards.