The forward edge of a ship's prow (front part) that cuts through the water; the leading edge that divides the water as a ship moves forward.
From 'cut' (to divide) + 'water'. A nautical compound term describing the part of the hull that literally cuts through water, dating to at least the 17th century.
A ship's cutwater shape determines whether it slices smoothly through waves or crashes into them—modern naval designers spend millions simulating cutwater geometry because a few feet of difference affects fuel consumption and cargo safety.
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