Language: jargon: sailing

Gooseneck Naut.

n.
1. A universal joint fitting which attaches the end of a boom to a mast, stay, or other part of a sailboat.

The gooseneck allows the boom to pivot up-and-down and port-and-starboard to allow trimming of the sail. In most rigs, the sail is tacked at or near the gooseneck. A gooseneck may be fixed to the mast, or might have limited vertical movement to adjust the set of the sail.

Not all booms use goosenecks; some are set flying, others use jaws, hoops, or saddles as their mast attachment.

References:
• Edwards, Fred; Sailing as a Second Language; International Marine Publishing Company; © 1988 Highmark Publishing Ltd.
• Marino, Emiliano; The Sailmaker's Apprentice: A guide for the self-reliant sailor; International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press; © 1994 International Marine