What is ahoy meaning?

Ahoy is a nautical term used to call out to a ship or a boat. It is a way of greeting other vessels or announcing one's presence on the water. The word ahoy sometimes is also used as a way of attracting attention or as a cheer. The origin of the word ahoy is Dutch and was originally used as a greeting in Holland. The word became more popular during the days of sailing ships when it was used as a way of identifying oneself to other ships at sea. Today, the use of the term is mostly restricted to nautical contexts and is seldom used in everyday conversation.