luff
noun
- the act of sailing close or closer to the wind
- the forward edge of a fore-and-aft sail
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
(lŭf)
nouna. 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).
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