spinnaker Hear it!

spinnaker definition

spin·na·ker (spin′ə kər)

noun

a large, triangular, baggy headsail used on some racing yachts when running before the wind

Etymology: said to be < spinx, altered after Sphinx, name of a yacht which carried the sail

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments (1) Add Your Comment

The old Scots word 'spene' meaning to run beofre the wind, as in spene-drift/spindrift is another possible root.

Posted by anonymous 68 days ago.

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