downhaul

American  

[doun-hawl] / ˈdaʊnˌhɔl /

noun

Nautical.

1. any of various lines for pulling down a sail or a yard, as for securing in a lowered position when not in use.

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downhaul British  

/ ˈdaʊnˌhɔːl /

noun

1. nautical a line for hauling down a sail or for increasing the tension at its luff

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Etymology

Origin of downhaul

First recorded in 1660–70; down ¹ + haul

Example Sentences

If it breezed up, and the jibtopsail was to be taken in, they never minded a wetting, and they would be out at the bowsprit end before there was a hand at the downhaul.

From Man Overboard! by Crawford, F. Marion (Francis Marion)

Joe found the jib-halyard and cast it off the pin, and, as the canvas fluttered down, came in hand over hand on the downhaul.

From The Cruise of the Dazzler by London, Jack

I was near the mate, but sprang past several, threw the downhaul over the windlass, and jumped between the knight-heads out upon the bowsprit.

From Two Years Before the Mast by Dana, Richard Henry

When the weather moderated, and we shook the reefs out, the downhaul was forgotten until we happened to think we might soon need it again.

From Man Overboard! by Crawford, F. Marion (Francis Marion)

Some of you brail up the spanker here and man the jib downhaul.

From The White Squall A Story of the Sargasso Sea by Schonberg, J.