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DictionaryhawserMooring or towing rope
noun

hawser

HAW-zer/ˈhɔːzər/

A thick rope or cable used to moor or tow a ship.

A thick hawser holds the ship securely against the dock.

A thick braided hawser holds a small visible ship bollard connection under gentle tension; show rope scale against adult gloved hands, no unsafe snapback scene or knots tutorial.
Etymology
hawserOld Frenchhoister

The older word meant “hoister,” connecting the rope with lifting. The modern sense applies to a heavy rope used to hold a ship at its mooring or tow it.

In context

Maritime Matters Podcast1:18
the hawser you coil it up at night when you were done with it and you you ran it out and you pulled it back in all by hand and yeah it was frozen 8-inch diameter stuff
What is a Hawsepiper? A Tugboat Captain's Journey from Deckhand to Captain

More examples

  • The tug pulls the disabled ship with a hawser.
  • The crew checks the hawsers for signs of wear.
  • A sailor loops the hawser around a bollard.

Forms

hawser · hawsers

Similar words

rope
Covers many sizes and uses, not just heavy ship lines.
cable
Often consists of wire and has many nonmarine uses.
towline
Specifically serves towing, rather than securing a ship at dock.