πρῷρα

Prow comes from Greek prōira (the front of a ship), from pro (before, in front). The word entered English through Latin prōra and Old French proue. The prow is the forward-most part of the hull above the waterline — the bow's upper section. In practice, 'bow' and 'prow' overlap extensively, but 'prow' implies the visible, above-water portion, while 'bow' includes the hull shape below the waterline.

Greek and Phoenician ships painted eyes on their prows. The oculus (eye) was not decoration — it was apotropaic magic, intended to allow the ship to see its way across the sea. The practice survived for over two thousand years. Mediterranean fishing boats still paint eyes on their prows. The tradition is strongest in Malta, where the luzzu (a traditional wooden boat) carries the Eye of Osiris on each side of the bow.

The prow became a symbol of naval power. Roman coins depicted prows to celebrate naval victories. The word 'rostrum' — the speakers' platform in the Roman Forum — originally referred to the beaks (rostra) of captured enemy ships that decorated it. Gaius Duilius mounted the prows of Carthaginian ships on the speakers' platform after his victory at Mylae in 260 BCE. The prow of a defeated enemy was the ultimate trophy.

The word 'prowess' is sometimes folk-etymologically connected to 'prow,' but it actually comes from Old French proesse (valor), from prou (brave). The phonetic similarity is coincidental. A ship's prow and a warrior's prowess share no root, only a sound.