Hawse, n.

(hawz) (Synop., § 130), n. [See HALSE and HALSER.]

1. (Naut.) (a.) The situation of the cables before a vessel’s stem, when moored with two anchors, one on the starboard, the other on the larboard bow. (b.) The distance ahead to which the cables usually extend; as, the ship has a clear or open hawse, or a foul hawse; to anchor in our hawse.
2. A hawse-hole. [Obs.] Harris.

Foul hawse, a hawse in which the cables cross each other, or are twisted together.