tophamper

or top-ham·per

[ top-ham-per ]

noun

, Nautical.

1. the light upper sails and their gear and spars, sometimes used to refer to all spars and gear above the deck.
2. any unnecessary weight, either aloft or about the upper decks.

Word History and Origins

Origin of tophamper¹

First recorded in 1785–95; top ¹ + hamper ¹