ards. The
bowsprit is also fortified by shrouds from the bows on each side, which
are all very necessary, as the fore-mast and the upper spars on the
main-mast are stayed and greatly supported by the bowsprit.

BOCCA. [Sp. _boca_, mouth.] Is a term used both in the Levant, and on
the north coast of South America, or the Spanish Main, for a mouth or
channel into any port or harbour, or the entrance into a sound which has
a passage out by a contrary way.--_Bocca Tigris_, Canton River.

BODIES. The figure of a ship, abstractedly considered, is divided into
different parts or figures, each of which has the appellation body, as
fore-body, midship-body, square-body, &c.

BODKIN. A dirk or dagger, a word still in use, though Johnson says it is
the oldest acceptation of it. It is the _bodekin_ of Chaucer; and
Shakspeare makes Hamlet ask who would bear the ills of life,

"When he himself might his quietus make
With a bare bodkin?"

BODY. The principal corps of an army, or the main strength of a fleet.

BODY, OF A PLACE. In fortification, the space inclosed by the enceinte,
or line of bastions and curtains.

BODY-HOOPS. Those which secure the aris pieces of a made mast.

BODY-PLAN. The draught of a proposed ship, showing the breadth and
timbers; it is a section supposed to cut the vessel through the broadest
part; it is otherwise called the plan of projection.

BODY-POST. An additional stern-post introduced at the fore-part of an
aperture cut in the dead-wood in a ship fitted with a screw-propeller.

BOG. A marsh, or a tract of land, which from its form and impermeable
bottom retains stagnant water. (_See_ QUAGMIRE.)

BOG-BLUTER. A northern name for the bittern, from its habit of thrusting
its bill into marshy places.

BOG-TROTTER. Any one who lives among marshy moors, but generally applied
to the Emeralders.

BOGUE, TO. To drop off from the wind. To edge away to leeward with the
wind; not holding a good wind, and driving very much to leeward. Used
only to clumsy inferior craft.

BOGUE. Mouth of a river; hence disembogue. Bogue forts, China.

BOHEMIAN. A conceited dawdler in his duties. Shakspeare ridicules Simple
as a Bohemian Tartar; both of which terms were applied to gipsies.

BOILER. Of a steam-engine, made of wrought iron, or copper-plates, which
being partly filled with water, and having fire applied to the outside,
generates steam to supply the engine.

BOILERS. Termed coppers; the ship's cooki