(1):
(n.) That part of a vessel's bow in which are the hawse holes for the cables.
(2):
(n.) The situation of the cables when a vessel is moored with two anchors, one on the starboard, the other on the port bow.
(3):
(n.) A hawse hole.
(4):
(n.) The distance ahead to which the cables usually extend; as, the ship has a clear or open hawse, or a foul hawse; to anchor in our hawse, or athwart hawse.