forecastle

[ fohk-suh l, fawr-kas-uh l, -kah-suh l, fohr- ]

/ ˈfoʊk səl, ˈfɔrˌkæs əl, -ˌkɑ səl, ˈfoʊr- /

noun Nautical.

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.

any sailors' quarters located in the forward part of a vessel, as a deckhouse.

the forward part of the weather deck of a vessel, especially that part forward of the foremast.

Nearby words

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. 2019

Examples from the Web for forecastle

To-morrow it's going forward to the sick men in the forecastle.
For Jacinta|Harold Bindloss
Doctor Luke put his elbows on the forecastle table, his chin on his hands—and thus gazed, immovable, at young Docks.
Doctor Luke of the Labrador|Norman Duncan
A quartermaster, summoned from the forecastle, hoisted a block and tackle to a derrick.
His Unknown Wife|Louis Tracy
The sounds ceased, and there was a hail from the forecastle.
The Black Bar|George Manville Fenn

Scattered about the forecastle lay the dead bodies of the crew.
The Sea Rovers|Rufus Rockwell Wilson

British Dictionary definitions for forecastle

forecastle

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

/ (ˈfəʊksəl) /

noun

the part of a vessel at the bow where the crew is quartered and stores, machines, etc, may be stowed

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

forecastle

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.