bowsprit Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a spar projecting from the bow of a vessel

WordNet

Bow"sprit` noun
Etymology
Bow + sprit; akin to D.boegspriet; boeg bow of a ship + spriet, E. sprit, also Sw. bogspröt, G. bugspriet.
Definitions
  1. (Naut.) A large boom or spar, which projects over the stem of a ship or other vessel, to carry sail forward.

Webster 1913