Bōw'line, n.

(Synop., § 130), n. [D. boelijn, boeglijn, Dan. boeline, bougline, Sw. boglina, bolina, Ger. boleine, Fr. bouline, It., Sp., & Pg. bolina. Properly, the line of the bow or bend, a slanting sail to receive a side wind.] (Naut.) A rope fastened near the middle of the leech or perpendicular edge of the square sails, by subordinate parts, called bridles, and used to keep the weather edge of the sail tight forward, when the ship is close-hauled.

Bowline-bridles, the ropes by which the bowline is fastened to the leech of the sail. — On a bowline, said of a ship when close-hauled or sailing close to the wind.