Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Avast"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Avast \A*vast"\, interj. [Corrupted from D. houd vast hold fast.
See {Hold}, v. t., and {Fast}, a.] (Naut.)
Cease; stop; stay. ``Avast heaving.'' --Totten.
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