The term 'toward the back of the boat' can be described by four different crossword solutions: AREAR (5 letters), AFT (3 letters), ASTERN (6 letters), and ABAFT (5 letters). AREAR is an archaic term meaning 'in the rear, ' while AFT is a more modern term meaning 'at, near, or toward the stern of a ship or aircraft.' ASTERN is a nautical term meaning 'in the direction of the stern of a ship, ' and ABAFT is another nautical term meaning 'toward the stern of a ship.' All four terms refer to the same general concept: the back of a boat.