noun

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

Etymology: 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

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