bobstay

American  

[bob-stey] / ˈbɒbˌsteɪ /

noun

Nautical.

1. a rope, chain, or rod from the outer end of the bowsprit to the cutwater.

---

bobstay British  

/ ˈbɒbˌsteɪ /

noun

1. a strong stay between a bowsprit and the stem of a vessel for holding down the bowsprit

---

Etymology

Origin of bobstay

First recorded in 1750–60; bob ¹ + stay ³

Example Sentences

Then a figure crawled out on the spar projecting above his head, seized him by the collar, and lifted him from the bobstay to which he was clinging on to the bowsprit.

From One of the 28th A Tale of Waterloo by Henty, G. A. (George Alfred)

I believe the fisherman with me was drowned, but I clung to the bobstay and was got on board.

From One of the 28th A Tale of Waterloo by Henty, G. A. (George Alfred)

I thought I saw some one hanging on to her bobstay, and the next moment that or something else struck me on the head and shoulders, and I thought I was going overboard.

From The Three Admirals by Wells, J.R.

The bobstay has a loop at the nose and ends in a turnbuckle that fastens to the anchor plate under the cockpit, aft.

From The Boy Mechanic: Volume 1 700 Things for Boys to Do by Popular Mechanics Co.

He cleft the water noiselessly, and it was not long before he grasped the Barracouta's bobstay and hoisted himself aboard.

From Jim Spurling, Fisherman or Making Good by Tolman, Albert Walter