hawser

[haw-zer, -ser]

See more synonyms for hawser on Thesaurus.com

noun Nautical.

a heavy rope for mooring or towing.

Origin of hawser

1300–50; Middle English haucer < Anglo-French hauceour, equivalent to Middle French hauci(er) to hoist (< Late Latin *altiāre to raise, derivative of Latin altus high; see haughty) + -our -or², -er²

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for hawser

twine, string, thread, tape, cable, strand, lariat, lace, lanyard, lasso, cordage, hawser

Examples from the Web for hawser

Historical Examples of hawser

He knew besides such words as "hawser," "bulkhead" and "ebb-tide."
The Harbor
Ernest Poole
Whether any saved themselves on it, the two clinging to the hawser could not see.
The Wild Geese
Stanley John Weyman
Leaping on to it, the boatswain and Lizard made fast the hawser.
The Voyages of the Ranger and Crusader
W.H.G. Kingston
The brave mate was seen to cling to the hawser, and work his way back.
The Voyages of the Ranger and Crusader
W.H.G. Kingston
At the other end was a hawser which the boat now towed towards the rock.
The Voyages of the Ranger and Crusader
W.H.G. Kingston

British Dictionary definitions for hawser

hawser

noun

nautical a large heavy rope

Word Origin for hawser

C14: from Anglo-French hauceour, from Old French haucier to hoist, ultimately from Latin altus high

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 hawser

"large rope used for mooring, towing, etc.," late 13c., from Anglo-French haucer, from Old French halcier, haucier, literally "hoister," from Vulgar Latin *altiare, alteration of Late Latin altare "make high," from altus "high" (see old). Altered in English on mistaken association with hawse and perhaps haul.