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In naval architecture, a poop deck is a deck that constitutes the roof of a poop cabin built in the aft (rear) part of the superstructure of a ship. The name originates from the Latin puppis, or the elevated stern deck.

In sailing ships, with the helmsman at the stern, an elevated position was ideal for both navigation and observation of the crew.

The picture shows the stern of the ship. The deck out of view above the aftercabin is the poop deck. Despite similarity of the words, this has nothing to do with slang terms for defecation, which is performed using the ship's head. This dates from sailing days, when ships by necessity sailed with their sterns to the wind; anybody defecating off the stern of a ship would cause foul odors to follow the ship for days.

Sailing ship anatomy

• Sailing ship elements
• Ship construction