Search Result for "luffing": 

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Luff \Luff\ (l[u^]f), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Luffed (l[u^]ft); p. pr. & vb. n. Luffing.] 1. (Naut.) To turn the head of a vessel toward the wind; to sail nearer the wind; to turn the tiller so as to make the vessel sail nearer the wind. [1913 Webster] 2. (Naut.) To flutter or shake from being aligned close to the direction of the wind; -- said of a sail. [PJC] To luff round, or To luff alee, to make the extreme of this movement, for the purpose of throwing the ship's head into the wind. [1913 Webster]