spinnaker

(spin′ə kər)

noun

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

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

See spinnaker in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A large triangular sail set on a spar that swings out opposite the mainsail, used on yachts when running before the wind.

Origin:

Origin: Perhaps ultimately from Sphinx, name of the first yacht to use such a sail

Origin: , or spin, to move rapidly (variant of Scots spene, to run before the wind; see spindrift)

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