ˈbau̇ˌsprit, ˈbōˌ- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English bouspret, probably from Middle Low German bōchsprēt, from bōch bow (akin to Old English bōg shoulder, bough) + sprēt pole; akin to Old English sprēot pole, Middle High German spriez twig, Old English sprūtan to sprout — more at bough , sprout
: a large spar projecting forward from the stem of a ship to carry sail forward and to support the masts by stays — see ship illustration