Wiktionary
n. 1 a propulsion unit mounted in or on the bow of a vehicle 2 (context nautical English) a sideways pointing thruster mounted in a tunnel in the bow or under the bow in a pod, for increased maneuverability 3 (context aviation English) a fixed or adjustable direction propeller unit mounted on the bow of an airship for increased maneuverability
Wikipedia
A bow thruster or stern thruster is a transversal propulsion device built into, or mounted to, either the bow or stern, of a ship or boat, to make it more maneuvrable. Bow thrusters make docking easier, since they allow the captain to turn the vessel to port or starboard side, without using the main propulsion mechanism which requires some forward motion for turning; indeed, the effectiveness of a thruster is curtailed by any forward motion due to the Coandă effect. A stern thruster is of the same principle, fitted at the stern. Large ships might have multiple bow thrusters and stern thrusters.
Usage examples of "bow thruster".
We'll have them squeeze into the bow thruster room forward of the crew quarters.
The bow thruster dug in and shouldered the forward part of the ship into the flood as the stern screws thrashed the water into foam, pushing her on an angle away from the vertical rock face.
Once she had sufficient separation, she dropped the nose, closed the bow thruster ports, and engaged the main thrusters.
He made the turn with a touch of bow thruster and continued up the channel, which was more or less straight, into the deeper water of the dredged harbor.