bow3

 
Pronunciation: /baʊ/
(also bows)

noun

  • the front end of a ship: water sprayed high over her bows

Phrases

on the bow

Nautical within 45° of the point directly ahead.

a (warning) shot across the bows

a statement or gesture intended to frighten someone into changing their course of action: supporters are firing a warning shot across the President’s bows

Origin:

late Middle English: from Low German boog, Dutch boeg, 'shoulder or ship's bow'; related to bough

Do not confuse bough with bow. Bough means 'a branch of a tree' ( boughs laden with blossom), whereas bow means 'bend the head' ( he bowed to his father) or 'the front of a ship'.