Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
FLEET
I. verb
Etymology: Middle English fleten, from Old English flēotan; akin to Old High German fliozzan to float, Old English flōwan to flow Date: before 12th century intransitive verb drift ,
2. flow , to fade away ; vanish , to fly swiftly, transitive verb to cause (time) to pass usually quickly or imperceptibly,
II. noun
Etymology: Middle English flete, from Old English flēot ship, from flēotan
Date: 13th century
a number of warships under a single command, group 2a, b,
III. adjective
Etymology: probably from 1fleet
Date: circa 1529
swift in motion ; nimble , evanescent , fleeting , see: fast fleetly adverb fleetness noun