luff

American  

[luhf] / lʌf /

noun

Nautical.

1. the forward edge of a fore-and-aft sail.

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verb (used without object)

1. to bring the head of a sailing ship closer to or directly into the wind, with sails shaking.

2. (of a sail) to shake from being set too close to the wind.

   The sail luffed as we put about for port.

3. to raise or lower the outer end of the boom of a crane or derrick so as to move its load horizontally.

verb (used with object)

1. to set (the helm of a ship) in such a way as to bring the head of the ship into the wind.

2. to raise or lower the outer end of (the boom of a crane or derrick).

luff British  

/ lʌf /

noun

1. nautical the leading edge of a fore-and-aft sail

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noun

1. tackle consisting of a single and a double block for use with rope having a large diameter

verb

1. nautical to head (a sailing vessel) into the wind so that her sails flap

2. (intr) nautical (of a sail) to flap when the wind is blowing equally on both sides

3. to move the jib of (a crane) or raise or lower the boom of (a derrick) in order to shift a load

Other Word Forms

• unluffed adjective

Etymology

Origin of luff

1175–1225; Middle English lof, loof steering gear (compare Old French lof ) < Middle Dutch (unrecorded), later Dutch loef tholepin (of tiller)