From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishrowlockrow‧lock /ˈrɒlək $ ˈroʊlɑːk/ noun [countable] British English TTWone of the U-shaped pieces of metal that holds the oars of a rowing boat
Examples from the Corpus
rowlock• Apart from needing varnish and loving care it looked seaworthy, but naturally there were no rowlocks and no oars.• When you hear the moan of the rowlocks, do you urge him on like a cox?• Two steering oars, two rowlocks and two mooring spikes with painters were provided.Origin rowlock (1700-1800) row + O-lock (as in oarlock) 