hawse

Etymology

Alteration of Middle English halse, from Old Norse hals (“neck”) (compare Icelandic háls (“neck”)).

noun

1. (nautical) The part of the bow containing the hawseholes.
2. (nautical) A hawsehole or hawsepipe.
3. (nautical) The horizontal distance or area between an anchored vessel's bows and the actual position of her anchor(s).

adj

1. (nautical) In a position relative to the course and position of a vessel, somewhat forward of the stem.

adv

1. (nautical, of a vessel) Lying to two anchors, streamed from either bow.

verb

1. (intransitive, nautical, of a vessel) To lie uneasily to an anchor, typically due to a weather tide.