[bou-sprit, boh-] 
| 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. |
| bow·sprit (bou'sprĭt', bō'-) n. Nautical A spar, extending forward from the stem of a ship, to which the stays of the foremast are fastened. [Middle English bouspret, possibly from Middle Low German bōchsprēt : bōch, bow; see bheug- in Indo-European roots + sprēt, sprit; see sper- in Indo-European roots.] |