noun
Nautical term referring to the upper edge of a boat's side. Often used in compound words like 舷側 (げんそく, ship's side) or 舷門 (げんもん, gangway).
船の舷に腰掛けて海を眺めた。
I sat on the gunwale of the boat and looked out at the sea.
舷側に衝突の跡が残っていた。
There were marks of a collision on the ship's side.
船縁 (ふなべり) is a more common and general term for the side or edge of a boat, while 舷 (げん) is a technical nautical term often used in compound words.
船端 (ふなばた) also means the side of a boat, but is less technical than 舷 and more colloquial.
The kanji 舷 is composed of 舟 (boat) and 玄 (deep, profound), suggesting the deep or important edge of a boat. The reading げん is the on'yomi (Sino-Japanese reading).