English edit

Etymology edit

From Middle English hauser, haucer, from Anglo-Norman haucer, from Vulgar Latin *altiāre (to raise), derived from Latin altus (high). Altered in English by mistaken association with hawse and perhaps haul. Compare French aussière, haussière.

Pronunciation edit

Noun edit

hawser (plural hawsers)

  1. (nautical) A cable or heavy rope used to tow or moor a ship.
    • 1881–1882, Robert Louis Stevenson, “The Ebb-tide Runs”, in Treasure Island, London, Paris: Cassell & Company, published 14 November 1883, →OCLC, part V (My Sea Adventure), page 185:
      The hawser was as taut as a bowstring, and the current so strong she pulled upon her anchor. All around the hull, in the blackness, the rippling current bubbled and chattered like a little mountain stream.
    • 1888–1891, Herman Melville, “[Billy Budd, Foretopman.] Chapter [HTTP://GUTENBERG.NET.AU/EBOOKS06/0608511H.HTML CHAPTER 26].”, in Billy Budd and Other Stories, London: John Lehmann, published 1951, →OCLC:
      A hatchet to my hawser? all adrift to go?

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