Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Stern \Stern\, a.
   Being in the stern, or being astern; as, the stern davits.

   {Stern board} (Naut.), a going or falling astern; a loss of
      way in making a tack; as, to make a stern board. See
      {Board}, n., 8
   (b) .

   {Stern chase}. (Naut.)
   (a) See under {Chase}, n.
   (b) A stern chaser.

   {Stern chaser} (Naut.), a cannon placed in a ship's stern,
      pointing backward, and intended to annoy a ship that is in
      pursuit.

   {Stern fast} (Naut.), a rope used to confine the stern of a
      ship or other vessel, as to a wharf or buoy.

   {Stern frame} (Naut.), the framework of timber forms the
      stern of a ship.

   {Stern knee}. See {Sternson}.

   {Stern port} (Naut.), a port, or opening, in the stern of a
      ship.

   {Stern sheets} (Naut.), that part of an open boat which is
      between the stern and the aftmost seat of the rowers, --
      usually furnished with seats for passengers.

   {Stern wheel}, a paddle wheel attached to the stern of the
      steamboat which it propels.