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Webster 1913 Edition

Noun.

[

Bob

stay

(Naut.)

A rope or chain to confine the bowsprit of a ship downward to the stem or cutwater; – usually in the

pl.

bobstay ‎(plural bobstays)

(nautical) A strong rope or chain rigging running from the end of the bowsprit to the ship's stem or cutwater

strong rope