bowsprit

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).

• IPA^(key): /ˈbəʊspɹɪt/

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bowsprit (plural bowsprits)

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

• bolesprit
• boltsprit