beakhead

A protruding part of the foremost section of a sailing ship.

Holonyms: beak < bow, stem, forestem, prow, prore < ship < vessel

“For seven days, thou old cozzener,” said the mate, “thou shalt keep clean the beakhead and the chains, and lucky art thou to be at sea. Ashore they would have whipped thee through the streets at the cart’s tail.”

An ornament used in rich Norman doorways, resembling a head with a beak.