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boxhaul

[ boks-hawl ]

verb (used with object)

, Nautical.
  1. to put (a square-rigged sailing vessel) on a new tack by bracing the head yards aback and backing onto the new heading.


boxhaul

/ ˈbɒksˌhɔːl /

verb

  1. nautical to bring (a square-rigger) onto a new tack by backwinding the foresails and steering hard round
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Word History and Origins

Origin of boxhaul1

1760–70; box 1 (v.) + haul
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Example Sentences

Le Pantalon.—Haul upon the starboard tack and let the other craft pass—then bear up and get your head on the other tack—regain your berth on the port tack—back and fill with your partner and boxhaul her—wear round twice against the sun in company with the opposite craft, then your own—afterwards boxhaul her again and bring her up.

L'ete.—Shoot ahead about two fathoms till you nearly come stem on with the other craft under weigh—then make a stern board to your berth and side out for a bend, first to starboard, then to port—make sail and pass the opposite craft—then get your head round on the other tack—another side to starboard and port—then make sail to regain your berth—wear round, back and fill and boxhaul your partner.

La Trenise.—Wear round as before against the sun twice, boxhaul the lady, and range up alongside her, and make sail in company—when half-way across to the other shore drop astern with the tide—shoot ahead again and cast off the tow—now back and fix as before and boxhaul her and yourself into your berth, and bring up.

Boxhaul, boks′hawl, v.t. to veer a ship sharp round on her heel, by putting the helm a-lee, bracing the head-yards flat aback, and hauling to windward the head-sheets.

The English captain, who had been forced to boxhaul his great vessel in order to avoid running on the shoals, cursed beneath his breath.

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