pavisade

plural pavisades

1. A row of shields hung on the side of a ship to protect it at war and discourage boarding by enemies.

   Pavaches were sometimes supported by props; they were also used at sea to defend the sides of vessels, like the present netting of our ships of war; this defence was called a pavisade, it may be seen in the representation of ancient ships.

   1786, Francis Grose, A Treatise on Ancient Armour and Weapons, page 27