bowline Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a loop knot that neither slips nor jams
    bowline knot.

WordNet

Bow"line noun
Etymology
Cf. D. boelijn, Icel. böglïna, Dan. bovline; properly the line attached to the shoulder or side of the sail. See Bow (of a ship), and Line.
Definitions
  1. (Naut.) A rope fastened near the middle of the leech or perpendicular edge of the square sails, by subordinate ropes, called bridles, and used to keep the weather edge of the sail tight forward, when the ship is closehauled.

Webster 1913