meaning of dashboard
1. A board placed on the fore part of a carriage, sleigh, or other vehicle, to intercept water, mud, or snow, thrown up by the heels of the horses; -- in England commonly called splashboard.
2. The float of a paddle wheel.
3. A screen at the bow af a steam launch to keep off the spray; -- called also sprayboard.
4. instrument panel on an automobile or airplane containing dials and controls