English Explanatory Dictionary

bowsprit

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A spar projecting over the prow of a sailing vessel to provide the means of adding sail surface.

Pronunciation

/ˈbəʊspɹɪt/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-bowsprit.wav

Word forms

bowsprit bowsprits bolesprit boltsprit

Etymology

First attested in late 13th century. Probably borrowed from Middle Low German bochspret, from boch (“bow of a ship”) + spret (“pole”) (related to Old English spreot and English sprout).

Derived words

bowspritted reefing bowsprit
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