hawse

noun

ˈhȯz 

1

a

: the part of a ship's bow that contains the hawseholes

b

: hawsehole

2

: the distance between a ship's bow and her anchor

Word History

Etymology

alteration of Middle English halse, from Old Norse hals neck, hawse; akin to Old English heals, neck — more at collar

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a