Pring, Martin (1580–1626?), an English explorer. He made three voyages to America, exploring the New England coast from Maine to Cape Cod Bay. In 1603 Pring became the first European to visit what is now New Hampshire when he sailed up the Piscataqua River. Pring was a captain for the East India Company, 1608–19, and was in command of its entire merchant fleet, 1619–22.