A small yacht, generally from fifteen to twenty-five feet in length, having a mainsail and a jib; a sloop with a simplified rig and no bowsprit. All knockabouts have ballast and either a keel or centerboard. The original type was twenty-one feet in length. The next larger type is called a raceabout. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
A knockabout performer or performance. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
A man hired on a sheep station to do odd jobs. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

knockabout, a.

Marked by knocking about or roughness. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
Of noisy and violent character; marked by farce, pratfalls, and horseplay; as, knockabout comedy. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
Characterized by, or suitable for, knocking about, or traveling or wandering hither and thither; suitable for use in rough activity; suited for everyday use; -- used especially of clothing. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
That does odd jobs; -- said of a class of hands or laborers on a sheep station. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

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OXFORD DICTIONARY

knockabout, adj. & n.
--attrib.adj.
1 (of comedy) boisterous; slapstick.
2 (of clothes) suitable for rough use.
3 Austral. of a farm or station handyman.
--n.
1 Austral. a farm or station handyman.
2 a knockabout performer or performance.

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