Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » luff

luff

(luf)

noun

the act of sailing close or closer to the wind
the forward edge of a fore-and-aft sail

Origin: ME lof < ODu loef, weather side (of a ship), auxiliary oar for steering, akin to ON lōfi, palm of the hand < IE base *lēp-, *lōp-, flat object, flat hand > OHG lappo, flat hand, rudder blade, Russ lopata, a shovel, rudder blade

intransitive verb

to turn the bow of a ship toward the wind; sail close or closer to the wind
to flutter: said of a sail, as on a boat that is heading too close to the wind
to raise or lower the jib of a crane

See luff in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. The act of sailing closer into the wind.
b. The forward side of a fore-and-aft sail.
Archaic The fullest part of the bow of a ship.

verb luffed, luff·ing, luffs

verb, intransitive

To steer a sailing vessel closer into the wind, especially with the sails flapping.
To flap while losing wind. Used of a sail.

verb, transitive

To sail (a vessel, such as a yacht) closer into the wind during a race so as to prevent an opponent's craft from passing on the windward side.
To raise or lower (the boom of a crane or derrick).

Origin:

Origin: Middle English lof, spar holding out the windward tack of a square sail

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , probably of Germanic origin

Learn more about luff

luff in a sentence

link/cite print suggestion box