Bowsprit

The bowsprit of a sailing vessel is a spar extending forward from the vessel's prow. The bowsprit is typically held down by a bobstay that counteracts the forces from the forestays. The word "bowsprit" is thought to originate from the Middle Low German word "bōchsprēt" – "bōch" meaning "bow" and "sprēt" meaning "pole".
It is sometimes used to hold up the figurehead.