bowsprit

[ bou-sprit, boh- ]

noun

, Nautical.

1. a spar projecting from the upper end of the bow of a sailing vessel, for holding the tacks of various jibs or stays and often supporting a jib boom.

bowsprit

/ ˈbəʊsprɪt /

noun

1. nautical a spar projecting from the bow of a vessel, esp a sailing vessel, used to carry the headstay as far forward as possible

Word History and Origins

Origin of bowsprit¹

1300–50; Middle English bouspret < Middle Low German bōchspret (cognate with Dutch boegsprit ) ( bōch bow ³ + spret pole, cognate with Old English sprēot )

Word History and Origins

Origin of bowsprit¹

C13: from Middle Low German bōchsprēt , from bōch bow ³ + sprēt pole

Example Sentences

The bowsprit of the Guerriere caught fast in the rigging of the Constitution, and the sailors on both ships tried to board.

From Project Gutenberg

Her bowsprit and masts were nearly all cut away, and out of more than a hundred men only fourteen were unhurt.

From Project Gutenberg

They'd got a kind of fore-shortening out of the bowsprit, and another set of canvas partly up that was dirty and patched.

From Project Gutenberg

A few wretches alone clung desperately to the forepart of the ship and the stump of the bowsprit.

From Project Gutenberg

The studding-sails were rigged out, and various strange-shaped sails were set between the masts and above and below the bowsprit.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• nose
• prow