A mast located toward the rear or stern of a ship, as opposed to the forward masts.
Compound of 'after' (Old English æfter, meaning toward the rear) and 'mast' (Old English mæst, from Germanic root meaning pole or stick). Used in nautical terminology since medieval times.
On large sailing ships like Spanish galleons, the aftermast (often called the mizzen mast) was crucial for maneuverability—it's the reason medieval ships had that distinctive castle-like stern structure, which actually helped sailors steer better!
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