Back

Etymology 1
From, from (modern 🇨🇬), from. Related with, but unrelated with.

The sense “dining table” is due to the fact that several sailors would eat from one bowl, so the word Back came to be used for the entire area that they shared. The sense “forecastle” might be a further generalisation because it is this part of the ship where the sailors ate and slept. Otherwise it could be derived from the sense “box, chest”.

Noun

 * 1)  forecastle raised part of the upper deck
 * 2)  a large wooden bowl in which the meal is served
 * 3)  a dining table used by the crew of a ship, often foldable

Etymology 2
..

Noun

 * 1)  defender; back