bowline

American  

[boh-lin, -lahyn] / ˈboʊ lɪn, -ˌlaɪn /

noun

1. Also called bowline knot.  a knot used to make a nonslipping loop on the end of a rope.

2. Nautical. a rope made fast to the weather leech of a square sail, for keeping the sail as flat as possible when close-hauled.

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idioms

1. on a bowline, sailing close-hauled.

2. on an easy bowline, close-hauled with sails well filled.

bowline British  

/ ˈbəʊlɪn /

noun

1. a line for controlling the weather leech of a square sail when a vessel is close-hauled

2. beating close to the wind

3. a knot used for securing a loop that will not slip at the end of a piece of rope

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Etymology

Origin of bowline

1275–1325; Middle English bouline, equivalent to bou- (perhaps boue bow ² ) + line line ¹

Example Sentences

Mr. Emerick loosened the stern line and the bowline, then leapt aboard as Mr. Horvath steered into the river.

From New York Times • Oct. 1, 2021

At night we pushed the boat 10 feet offshore, tossed an anchor off the stern and tied the bowline to a tree.

From New York Times • Dec. 16, 2019

The former added bowline knots to knitted dresses, and reworked naval bibs to suitable-for-work shirts.

From The Guardian • Oct. 5, 2016

In Webelos, I’d stand with hands clenched, not able to make my fingers move the right way to tie a bowline knot or build a catapult.

From Slate • Jun. 13, 2013

They were all three-strand manila lines with a bowline knotted into one end, pretty well worn down, too.

From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson