Main Entry:

bow·line

Pronunciation:

\ˈbō-lən, -ˌlīn\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English boweline, probably from bowe bow + line

Date:

13th century

1 : a rope used to keep the weather edge of a square sail taut forward 2 : a knot used to form a loop that neither slips nor jams — see knot illustration