where does the name poop deck come from
Poop deck The name originates from the French word for stern, la poupe, from Latin puppis. Thus the poop deck is technically a stern deck, which in sailing ships was usually elevated as the roof of the stern or "after" cabin, also known as the "poop cabin". On sailing ships, the helmsman will steer the craft from the quarter deck, immediately in front of the poop deck. At the stern, the poop deck provides an elevated position ideal for observation.[2]