rowlock
NounWordNet 3.0
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Rowlock \Row"lock\ (r[=o]"l[o^]k colloq. r[u^]l"[u^]k), n. [For oarlock; AS. [=a]rloc, where the second part is akin to G. loch a hole, E. lock a fastening. See Oar, and Lock.]
1.(Naut.) A contrivance or arrangement serving as a fulcrum for an oar in rowing. It consists sometimes of a notch in the gunwale of a boat, sometimes of a pair of pins between which the oar rests on the edge of the gunwale, sometimes of a single pin passing through the oar, or of a metal fork or stirrup pivoted in the gunwale and suporting the oar; same as oarlock. [Chiefly Brit.] [1913 Webster +PJC]
2.One of the rings of masonry included in an arch having more than one ring. [PJC]