Knighthead

Origin

From knight + head; sometimes decorated with a carving of a man's head.

Full definition of knighthead

Noun

1. A mitred backing timber which extends the after line of the rabbet in the stem to give extra support to the ends of the planks and the bowsprit.
2. A bollard or bitt.
3. Either of two timbers rising from the keel of a sailing ship and supporting the inner end of the bowsprit.