Frog

(Fr. hausse or talon; Ger. Frosch; It. tallone).

In the bow used for string instruments, the device which secures the hair and holds it away from the bowstick at the lower end (where the player grasps the bow). The term ‘heel’ or ‘nut’ has been used in England for this device. Hence the term ‘at the heel’ (Fr. au talon) or ‘at the nut’ is a direction to use that part of the hair closest to the frog.

DAVID B. BOYDEN