fairlead
/ˈfɛrˌlid/
noun
- A device, such as a ring or pulley, used to guide a rope, cable, or line and reduce friction, especially on a boat or ship.
- The fairlead on the deck helped prevent the rope from getting tangled.
- We installed a new fairlead on the bow to guide the anchor chain smoothly.
- The sailor threaded the mooring line through the fairlead to keep it from chafing.