forestem

• fore-stem

From Middle English forestempne, forestavne, forstanyg, perhaps continuing Old English frumstemn (“the forepart of a ship; prow”), otherwise, equivalent to fore- +‎ stem.

forestem (plural forestems)

1. (nautical) The prow of a ship
   • 2014, Anders Winroth, The Age of the Vikings, page 93:

     When the ship was in position with the forestem to the south, a grave chamber was constructed just behind the mast.

   • 2015, Sean McGrail, Early Ships and Seafaring:

     Above the waterline they were more symmetrical with a transom-shaped bow above the fore-stem.

   • 2017, Sabrina Jarema, Lord of the Mountains:

     Magnus walked to one of the ships and put his hand on the forestem at the front.

From fore- +‎ stem (“stalk of a plant”).

forestem (plural forestems)

1. (botany) The forward or projected-most part of a stem
   • 2016, George C. Zidbeck, Observations and Reflections of a Country Squire:

     Nearby, Marikosan picked the rising and curling forestems for later cooking.

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