Bow'sprit, n.

(bō'/sprit, or bou'/sprit), n. [bow and sprit, q. v., D. boegspriet, from boeg, bow of a ship, and spriet, equiv. to Eng. sprit; L. Ger. bögsprēt, Sw. bogspröt, H. Ger. bugspiet, bogspriet.] (Naut.) A large boom or spar, which projects over the stem of a ship, or other vessel, to carry sail forward.