forestick

[ fawr-stik, fohr- ]

/ ˈfɔrˌstɪk, ˈfoʊr- /

the front log in a wood fire, as in a fireplace.

Origin of forestick

An Americanism dating back to 1785–95; fore- + stick¹

Before the forestick had burned in two, she heard him coming, but he was not alone.

Country Neighbors |Alice Brown
On a fire well started thus between backlog and forestick he may pile such dry, hard wood as he has at hand.

Old Plymouth Trails |Winthrop Packard
The bright flame on the forestick, which Ralph had been watching, flickered and burned low.

The Hoosier Schoolmaster |Edward Eggleston
So you jist let me put on a good back-log and forestick, and build up a fire to tell stories by this evening.

The Pearl of Orr's Island |Harriet Beecher Stowe

Large stones were sometimes used instead of a backlog, and an iron bar was laid on the andirons in front of the forestick.

Every Day Life in the Massachusetts Bay Colony |George Francis Dow