forecourse

American  

[fawr-kawrs, fohr-kohrs] / ˈfɔrˌkɔrs, ˈfoʊrˌkoʊrs /

noun

1. the lowermost sail on a square-rigged foremast; a square foresail.

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forecourse British  

/ ˈfɔːˌkɔːs /

noun

1. nautical the lowest foresail on a square-rigged vessel

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Etymology

Origin of forecourse

First recorded in 1620–30; fore- + course

Example Sentences

While our men were throwing loose the forecourse, there came so violent a gust, that they were obliged to furl it again, otherwise it had been blown away.

From A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels — Volume 09 Arranged in Systematic Order: Forming a Complete History of the Origin and Progress of Navigation, Discovery, and Commerce, by Sea and Land, from the Earliest Ages to the Present Time by Kerr, Robert

The forecourse was selected, as being of considerable dimensions; and this, when detached from its yard, was dragged up on the beach and spread out to dry.

From The Missing Merchantman by Overend, William Heysham

We cold just get into the sailroom and got up a new forecourse and stuck it full of oakum and rags, and put itt under the ship's bottom; this is called fothering the ship.

From "The Gallant, Good Riou", and Jack Renton 1901 by Becke, Louis

Hauling up the forecourse of a merchant-ship is like lifting the curtain again on the drama of the land.

From Recollections of Europe by Cooper, James Fenimore

“We must have the main-sail and forecourse on her,” he said a few minutes later to Mr Mackay.

From Afloat at Last A Sailor Boy's Log of his Life at Sea by Overend, William Heysham