BOOM

A long pole or spar, run out for the purpose of extending the bottom of a particular sail; as, the jib boom, the studding-sail boom, etc.

A long spar or beam, projecting from the mast of a derrick, from the outer end of which the body to be lifted is suspended.

A pole with a conspicuous top, set up to mark the channel in a river or harbor. [Obs.]

A strong chain cable, or line of spars bound together, extended across a river or the mouth of a harbor, to obstruct navigation or passage.

A line of connected floating timbers stretched across a river, or inclosing an area of water, to keep saw logs, etc., from floating away. Boom iron, one of the iron rings on the yards through which the studding-sail booms traverse. -- The booms, that space on the upper deck of a ship between the foremast and mainmast, where the boats, spare spars, etc., are stowed. Totten.

To extend, or push, with a boom or pole; as, to boom out a sail; to boom off a boat.

To cry with a hollow note; to make a hollow sound, as the bittern, and some insects. At eve the beetle boometh Athwart the thicket lone. Tennyson.

To make a hollow sound, as of waves or cannon. Alarm guns booming through the night air. W. Irving.

To rush with violence and noise, as a ship under a press of sail, before a free wind. She comes booming down before it. Totten.

To have a rapid growth in market value or in popular favor; to go on rushingly.

A hollow roar, as of waves or cannon; also, the hollow cry of the bittern; a booming.

A strong and extensive advance, with more or less noisy excitement; -- applied colloquially or humorously to market prices, the demand for stocks or commodities and to political chances of aspirants to office; as, a boom in the stock market; a boom in coffee. [Colloq. U. S.]

To cause to advance rapidly in price; as, to boom railroad or mining shares; to create a "boom" for; as to boom Mr. C. for senator. [Colloq. U. S.]