taffrail

The rail around the stern of a vessel.

The flat upper part of the stern of a vessel, made of wood and often richly carved.

Same as tafferel; now, as commonly understood (from confusion with the word rail), the rail across the stern of a vessel.

The upper part of a ship’s stern, which is flat like a table on the top, and sometimes ornamented with carved work; the rail around a ship’s stern.

The curved wooden top of the stern of a sailing man-of-war or East Indiaman, usually carved or decorated.

The rail around the stern of a ship.

The deck area at the stern of a vessel.

the railing around the stern of a ship