hawser

Meaning

Noun

• A cable or heavy rope used to tow or moor a ship.

Origin

• From Middle English hauser, haucer, from Anglo-Norman haucer, from Old French haucier, halcier, from Vulgar Latin *altiō, from Late Latin altāre, from Latin altus. Altered in English by mistaken association with hawse and perhaps haul. Compare French aussière, haussière.