bowsprit

[ bou-sprit, boh- ]

noun

, Nautical.

1. a spar projecting from the upper end of the bow of a sailing vessel, for holding the tacks of various jibs or stays and often supporting a jib boom.

bowsprit

/ ˈbəʊsprɪt /

noun

1. nautical a spar projecting from the bow of a vessel, esp a sailing vessel, used to carry the headstay as far forward as possible

Word History and Origins

Origin of bowsprit¹

1300–50; Middle English bouspret < Middle Low German bōchspret (cognate with Dutch boegsprit ) ( bōch bow ³ + spret pole, cognate with Old English sprēot )

Word History and Origins

Origin of bowsprit¹

C13: from Middle Low German bōchsprēt , from bōch bow ³ + sprēt pole

Example Sentences

But Dutreux said he didn’t see the American boat, which had the right of way, and crashed his bowsprit into the 11th Hour hull.

From Washington Times

The 40-foot, two-handed boat Avalanche pulled out with a broken bowsprit shortly after the start and Yeah Baby was forced out with rudder damage after being hit by a sail fish late Monday.

From Seattle Times

Fast and agile, he had a superior vertical leap and used his 7-foot-4 wingspan to block shots with his arm outstretched like a bowsprit.

From Washington Post

Nat stood on the chest and stared up at the tower masts of the ships, and the bowsprits, like long beaks, slanting into the air above him.

From Literature

He was napping with radar alarms on when the two boats struck, tearing his sail, breaking one of his hydrofoils and ripping off his bowsprit.

From New York Times

Related Words

• nose
• prow