the rutter

...from the French routier and Dutch ruiter, meaning "something that finds a way". A guide who leads the way through a difficult or unknown course; a pilot book or guide carried by navigators; a precursor to the modern navigation chart. A pilot is a master mariner with many years of experience guiding ships through the narrow, shallow, and dangerous coastal waters between a harbor and the open sea. The pilot is only an advisor, as the master remains in legal, overriding command of the vessel...