stroke oar

the oar nearest to the stern of the boat.

Origin of stroke oar

First recorded in 1825–35

But what startled Sheldon was the sight of a woman in the stern-sheets, between the stroke-oar and the steersman.

Adventure |Jack London
He is as healthy as a buffalo, as a prize-fighter, as the stroke-oar of a university boat.

Smoking and Drinking |James Parton
The member pulling the stroke-oar in any club boat shall have command of the crew.

Boating |W. B. Woodgate
He seemed to feel that he had the stroke-oar, and he pulled away manfully.

Humorous Masterpieces from American Literature |Various

He was a most attractive sort—half-back at Harvard, stroke-oar and all the rest.

On the Lightship |Herman Knickerbocker Viel