hawse
 oxford
 views  updated Jun 11 2018hawse (naut.) part of the bows of a ship XIV; space about the stem of a vessel, situation of cables there XVI. Early form 
halse, prob. — ON. 
háls neck, ship's bow, etc. (= OE. 
heals neck, prow).
  The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD