lubber's hole

American  

noun

Nautical.

1. (in a top on a mast) an open space through which a sailor may pass instead of climbing out on the futtock shrouds.

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lubber's hole British  

noun

1. nautical a hole in a top or platform on a mast through which a sailor can climb

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Etymology

Origin of lubber's hole

First recorded in 1765–75

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lubber's hole

About two hours, however, after he had been missed, Munroe, to the surprise of Dunlap, thrust his head through the lubber's hole.

From Narratives of Shipwrecks of the Royal Navy; between 1793 and 1849 by Gilly, William O. S.

I leaped to one side and partially avoided the blow, and then rushing in towards the mast I looked down the lubber’s hole to see if Brace was below.

From Ran Away to Sea by Reid, Mayne

"Just now he climbed up the rigging, inserted his person through the lubber's hole, and seated himself in the foretop."

From The Funny Philosophers Wags and Sweethearts by Yellott, George

"This is not the first time that you have been aloft, sir," one of the top-men said, as he followed Wilkinson's example, instead of going up through the lubber's hole.

From At Aboukir and Acre A Story of Napoleon's Invasion of Egypt by Henty, G. A. (George Alfred)

For my part, I had become quite a sailor, and could ascend and descend easily to the truck without creeping through the lubber’s hole.

From Hudson Bay by Ballantyne, R. M. (Robert Michael)