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

It was entered by a lubber's hole in the flooring, through which the shrouds passed.

From On the Spanish Main Or, Some English forays on the Isthmus of Darien. by Masefield, John

I promised him, and he then helped me down through the lubber’s hole, for as to going down outside, I couldn’t just then have done it to save my life.

From My First Cruise and Other stories by Kingston, William Henry Giles

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

"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)

He reached the Jacob's ladder and went out instead of going through the lubber's hole.

From The Ice Pilot by Leverage, Henry