bow wave

bow wave [bou] ExamplesWord Origin noun

the wave generated on either side of a vessel’s bow by its forward movement through the water.
a type of shock wave formed in front of a body moving at supersonic speed.

Origin of bow wave First recorded in 1875–80 Examples from the Web for bow wave Historical Examples of bow wave

A moment later we heard the familiar rush of a destroyer’s bow-wave, and the ringing of her telegraph as she checked.

Karl Spindler

The prone gunman slid out of the wide double door, pushing a bow-wave of detergent before him.

William Fitzgerald Jenkins

In front you see the bow-wave and behind the body a phenomenon k which closely resembles the eddies formed in the wake of a ship.

Ernst Mach

No general attempt was made to disguise the bow, because the bow-wave was generally visible.

Matthew Luckiesh