CONVOY

(Late Lat. conviare, accompany), in the navy, the name given to one or more ships of war sent to protect a merchant fleet from the attacks of a national enemy or from pirates. This name came into use about the 17th cent. and was usually applied to the ve els thus escorted. The term was applied in the World War to the protection ve els which escorted troop and supply ships through the zones of danger. In military service the C. is strictly a train of wagons stocked with provisions or supplies for war. The term is also used for a detachment of troops or escort appointed to protect such a train or sometimes people.