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

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.

"What did you heave Old Cuff out of the top for?" said the first one of the larboard watch, whose head came through the "lubber's hole."

From An Old Sailor's Yarns by Ames, N. (Nathaniel)

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)

He then climbed up hurriedly, till his head and shoulders were through the lubber's hole.

From A Lad of Grit A Story of Adventure on Land and Sea in Restoration Times by Westerman, Percy F. (Percy Francis)

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