1. a pipe or tube in the bow of a ship through which an anchor cable passes
Usage: nautical; also spelled hawse pipe

Examples

• The anchor chain ran smoothly through the hawsepipe as the ship prepared to dock.
• The crew inspected the hawsepipe for any signs of corrosion or damage.
• Water splashed over the bow near the hawsepipe during the storm.
• The hawsepipe is a critical component of a vessel's anchoring system.