Bowsprit

Bowsprit is a strong boom or spar projecting over the stemhead or bows of a sailing-ship, and also of a steamship when the stem of the latter is of the curved or cut-water description. Its use is to support the jib-boom, a longer and lighter spar, forming a continuation of the bowsprit, which receives the lower ends of the foremast stay-ropes, on which sails are carried.