The space cut out of a boat's gunwale to take the loom of an oar. The sides and bottom are usually lined to reduce wear and when the boat is under sail shutters are inserted to close the hole. The word is often mistakenly used for the metal crutch which serves a similar purpose in some boats.
Isithuba esisikwe kumphetho wesikhitshana ukuthatha isibophelelo sesibhexo. Amacala kunye nomphantsi adla ngokudweliswa ukunciphisa ukutyhafa naxa isikhitshana singaphantsi kwesiyile izivalo ziyavakwa ukuvala umngxuma.