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

"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

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

"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)

I was afraid to venture, and then he proposed that I should go through lubber's hole, which he said had been made for people like me.

From Peter Simple; and, The Three Cutters, Vol. 1-2 by Marryat, Frederick

Cushner climbed up through the lubber's hole on the third day of the outbound passage, lifted himself over the edge of the crow's-nest, and dropped down beside Stirling.

From The Ice Pilot by Leverage, Henry