The black tern.

Having a certain hardness or severity of nature,
manner, or aspect; hard; severe; rigid; rigorous; austere; fixed;
unchanging; unrelenting; hence, serious; resolute; harsh; as, a
sternresolve; a stern necessity; a stern heart; a stern gaze; a stern
decree.

The helm or tiller of a vessel or boat; also, the rudder.

The after or rear end of a ship or other vessel, or of a
boat; the part opposite to the stem, or prow.

Fig.: The post of management or direction.

The hinder part of anything.

The tail of an animal; – now used only of the tail of a
dog.

Being in the stern, or being astern; as, the stern davits.