Word Study
bobstay
CIDE DICTIONARY
bobstay, n. [Bob + stay.].
A rope or chain to confine the bowsprit of a ship downward to the stem or cutwater; -- usually in the pl. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
bobstay, n. the chain or rope holding down a ship's bowsprit.
Etymology
prob. BOB(1) + STAY(2)
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