Naut. [f. STEM sb.2, after keelson, KELSON.] (See quot. 1769.)
1769. Falconer, Dict. Marine (1780), Stemson, an arching piece of timber fixed within the apron to reinforce the scarf thereof.
1849. Longf., Build. Ship, 178. Stemson and keelson and sternson-knee.
1886. Encycl. Brit., XXI. 819/1. The foremost end of the keelson scarphs to the stemson.
