BOBSTAYS. Ropes or chains used to confine the bowsprit downward to the stem or cut-water. They are fitted in various ways. Their use is to counteract the strain of the foremast-stays, which draw it upwards. 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 cooking utensils, of iron or copper. BOILING. The "whole boiling" means the entire quantity, or whole party; applied to number or quantity. A contemptuous epithet. BOLD-BOW. A broad bluff bow. BOLDERING WEATHER. Cloudy and thundery.