Jibboom

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A spar projecting forward from the bowsprit of a sailing ship to increase sail area
2. A wooden or metal extension attached to the front spar of a ship, used to support additional sails
3. An elongated horizontal pole fixed beyond the bowsprit that helps hold and spread the forward sails

Etymology: A jibboom is a spar extending forward from the bowsprit, the pole that projects from the front of a sailing ship's bow. The name is simply a compound of "jib," the triangular sail set on the forestay, and "boom," a spar used to extend or spread a sail. The jib sail is hoisted along the forestay, and the jibboom gives that sail a longer base, so the whole arrangement reaches farther forward and carries more canvas. The two words are joined in the same way as "jib boom," and the one-word spelling is an accepted variant of the same term.