DCHP-1 Online
saltie [< salt (water) + -ie] Great Lakes, Slang 
1 n. an ocean-going vessel, as opposed to a lake boat.
See also: lake boat
- 1959 Sixty or more ocean ships--called "salties" by lake seamen--and inland ships were expected to be in transit today.
- 1966 The only saltie to visit Kingston that year, the 17,170 ton Malmanger of Norway, sailed with her holds only half full of grain.
2 n. a sailor on such a vessel.
- 1962 Once free of the Great Lakes, the salties figure they rule the roost.
- 1959 Sixty or more ocean ships--called "salties" by lake seamen--and inland ships were expected to be in transit today.