THWARTS

noun

1. A seat across a boat on which a rower may sit.
2. A brace, perpendicular to the keel, that helps maintain the beam of a marine vessel against external water pressure and that may serve to support the rail.
3. An act of thwarting; something which thwarts; a hindrance, an obstacle.

verb

1. To cause to fail; to frustrate, to prevent.
2. To place (something) across (another thing); to position crosswise.
3. To hinder or obstruct by placing (something) in the way of; to block, to impede, to oppose.