To set a boat in the water or send a rocket into space
[DOC] [TLE] Launch - Wordswarm.net [PAR] 2: propel with force; "launch the space shuttle"; "Launch a ship" ... (a self-
propelled object) < launch a rocket > 2. a. to set (a boat or ship) afloat ... To 
launch a ship or a boat means to put it into water, often for the first time after it has 
been built.