Latrine or toilet, from the Naval term. (background) In the sailing navy the forecastle (pronounced folk-sill) was the most forward deck open to the weather and was the place sailors were allowed to gather to relax and entertain each other. One corner of the forecastle, with a wide scupper, was where sailors went to the bathroom. As the forecastle was in the front or “head” of the ship, a sailor on the way to relieve himself would declare that he was on the way to the head.