bowline noun. ['bǝʊlɪn] ME.
[Middle Low German bōlīne, Middle Dutch boechlijne from boeg BOW noun³ + lijne LINE noun².]
1. A rope passing from the weather edge of a square sail to the port or starboard bow, for the purpose of holding the sail closer to the wind. ME.
See also bow line s.v. BOW noun³.
on a bowline close-hauled.

2. In full bowline knot. A simple knot for forming a non-slipping loop at the end of a rope. E17.
running bowline: see RUNNING adjective. Spanish bowline: see SPANISH adjective.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲