painter

1. (obsolete) A chain or rope used to attach the shank of an anchor to the side of a ship when not in use.obsolete

2. (nautical) A rope that is attached to the bow of a dinghy, or other small boat, and used for tying up or towing.Examples: ""Shove that [fat, wicker luncheon-basket] under your feet," he observed to the Mole, as he passed it down into the boat. Then he untied the painter and took the sculls again."; "The dinghy was trailing astern at the end of its painter, and Merrion looked at it as he passed. He saw that it was a battered-looking affair of the prahm type, with a blunt snout, and like the parent ship, had recently been painted a vivid green."; "Back at the water’s edge, Delbert realised something else. The number of steps had diminished by one, and the little boat was floating more freely to its painter."