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

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

From The Ice Pilot by Leverage, Henry

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)

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 by Marryat, Frederick

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)

The clewlines are ropes fastened to the corners of the topsail, passing through blocks on the topsail yard, and leading down to the deck through the lubber's hole.

From Outward Bound Or, Young America Afloat by Optic, Oliver