noun
civilian ships and warships
Dated collective term for both civilian vessels and military warships. In modern usage, 船舶 (せんぱく) is more common for civilian ships, and 艦艇 (かんてい) or 軍艦 (ぐんかん) for warships.
この港には多くの船艦が停泊していた。
Many ships and warships were anchored in this port.
Compound of 船 (せん, 'ship') and 艦 (かん, 'warship'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it likely originated as a formal or bureaucratic term encompassing both civilian and military vessels.