bow wave

bow wave (plural bow waves)

1. The wave that forms at the bow of a ship as it moves through the water, and defines the outer limits of the ship's wake.
   • 1942, Neville Shute, Pied Piper, New York: William Morrow & Co., Chapter 11,

     But in the half light of dawn, at about half past four, a destroyer came towards them from the west, throwing a deep, feathery bow wave of white foam aside as she cut through the water, bearing down on them.