motorboat, powerboat - a boat propelled by an internal-combustion engine

actuation, propulsion - the act of propelling

rocket firing, rocket launching - the launching of a rocket or missile under its own power

open, open up - start to operate or function or cause to start operating or functioning; "open a business"

propel, impel - cause to move forward with force; "Steam propels this ship"

float - put into the water; "float a ship"

blast off - launch with great force; "the rockets were blasted off"

set in motion, launch - get going; give impetus to; "launch a career"; "Her actions set in motion a complicated judicial process"

begin, commence, set out, start, start out, set about, get down, get - take the first step or steps in carrying out an action; "We began working at dawn"; "Who will start?"; "Get working as soon as the sun rises!"; "The first tourists began to arrive in Cambodia"; "He began early in the day"; "Let's get down to work now"

plunge - dash violently or with great speed or impetuosity; "She plunged at it eagerly"

launch - launch for the first time; launch on a maiden voyage; "launch a ship"

move, displace - cause to move, both in a concrete and in an abstract sense; "Move those boxes into the corner, please"; "I'm moving my money to another bank"; "The director moved more responsibilities onto his new assistant"

smooth, smoothen - make smooth or smoother, as if by rubbing; "smooth the surface of the wood"