Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Launch \Launch\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Launched}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Launching}.] [OE. launchen to throw as a lance, OF.
   lanchier, another form of lancier, F. lancer, fr. lance
   lance. See {Lance}.] [Written also {lanch}.]
   1. To throw, as a lance or dart; to hurl; to let fly.

   2. To strike with, or as with, a lance; to pierce. [Obs.]

            Launch your hearts with lamentable wounds.
                                                  --Spenser.

   3. To cause to move or slide from the land into the water; to
      set afloat; as, to launch a ship.

            With stays and cordage last he rigged the ship, And
            rolled on levers, launched her in the deep. --Pope.

   4. To send out; to start (one) on a career; to set going; to
      give a start to (something); to put in operation; as, to
      launch a son in the world; to launch a business project or
      enterprise.

            All art is used to sink episcopacy, and launch
            presbytery in England.                --Eikon
                                                  Basilike.

Source : WordNet®

launching
     n 1: the act of moving a newly-built vessel into the water for
          the first time
     2: the act of beginning something new; "they looked forward to
        the debut of their new product line" [syn: {introduction},
         {debut}, {first appearance}, {unveiling}, {entry}]
     3: the act of propelling with force [syn: {launch}]