mizzen

 
Pronunciation: /ˈmɪz(ə)n/
(also mizen)

noun

  • 1 (also mizzenmast) the mast aft of a ship’s mainmast.
  • 2 (also mizzensail) a sail on the mizzenmast of a ship, in particular the lowest sail on the mizzenmast of a square-rigged sailing ship: [as modifier]: mizzen yard

Origin:

late Middle English: from Italian mezzana 'mizzensail', feminine (used as a noun) of mezzano 'middle', from Latin medianus (see median)