Backstay
Pronunciation : Back"stay`
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [Back, a. orn.+ stay.]
Definition : 1. (Naut.)
Defn: A rope or stay extending from the masthead to the side of a ship, slanting a little aft, to assist the shrouds in supporting the mast. [ Often used in the plural.]
2. A rope or strap used to prevent excessive forward motion.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913