Bumkin or Boomkin
Bumkin or Boomkin : a short boom or bar of timber, projecting from each bow of a ship, to extend the lower-edge of the foresail to windward, for which purpose there is a large block fixed on it's outer end, through which the rope is passed that is fastened to the lower-corner of the sail to windward, called the tack, and this being drawn tight down brings the corner of the sail close to the block, which being performed, the tack is said to be aboard. The bumkin is secured by a strong rope which confines it downward to the ship's bow, to counter-act the strain it bears from the fore-sail above, dragging it upwards
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