A long pole that extends forward from the front (bow) of a sailing ship, used to support sails and rigging.
From Middle Dutch 'boogspriet': 'boog' (bow) plus 'spriet' (sprit/pole). This nautical term entered English from Dutch shipbuilders who dominated maritime technology in the 1600s.
The bowsprit is one of the weirdest-named ship parts—it's basically a giant pole sticking out the front like the ship is trying to poke something. But it was essential for controlling massive sails and gave ships their distinctive aggressive profile.
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