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forecastle

[fohk-suh l, fawr-kas-uh l, -kah-suh l, fohr-]
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noun Nautical.
  1. a superstructure at or immediately aft of the bow of a vessel, used as a shelter for stores, machinery, etc., or as quarters for sailors.
  2. any sailors' quarters located in the forward part of a vessel, as a deckhouse.
  3. the forward part of the weather deck of a vessel, especially that part forward of the foremast.
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Also fo'c's'le, fo'c'sle.

Origin of forecastle

First recorded in 1300–50, forecastle is from the Middle English word forcastel. See fore-, castle
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for forecastle

Historical Examples

  • All the sailors had a kind word for him, and many were the praises which he received in the forecastle.

    Brave and Bold

    Horatio Alger

  • The mandate was obeyed, and Bates was lodged in the forecastle, securely ironed.

    Brave and Bold

    Horatio Alger

  • The Norman hath a mangonel or a trabuch upon the forecastle.

    The White Company

    Arthur Conan Doyle

  • Being captain of the forecastle, I knew where to find it, and throw it loose at a jerk.

    Ned Myers

    James Fenimore Cooper

  • He was now to be sent into the forecastle, and was ordered to instruct me in my duty.

    Ned Myers

    James Fenimore Cooper

British Dictionary definitions for forecastle

forecastle

fo'c's'le or fo'c'sle

noun
  1. the part of a vessel at the bow where the crew is quartered and stores, machines, etc, may be stowed
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for forecastle

n.

c.1400, earlier Anglo-French forechasteil (mid-14c.), from Middle English fore- "before" + Anglo-French castel "fortified tower," the short raised deck in the fore part of the ship used in warfare (see castle (n.)). Spelling fo'c'sle reflects sailors' pronunciation.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper