The word “jettison” means to discard or get rid of something, usually in order to lighten a load or eliminate a burden. It is commonly used in the context of removing or throwing away items from a ship, aircraft, or spacecraft to improve its performance or safety.
Interesting fact: The term “jettison” originated from the French word “jeter,” which means “to throw.” It was first used in the 15th century to describe the act of throwing goods overboard from a ship to lighten its load during a storm or emergency. Over time, the term expanded to include the broader concept of discarding or abandoning anything to improve a situation.