luff
Pronunciation:
/lʌf/noun
Definitions
The vertical edge of a sail that is closest to the direction of the wind.
Example: By easing the halyard, the luff of the sail was made to sag to leeward.
The act of sailing a ship close to the wind.
The roundest part of a ship's bow.
The forward or weather leech of a sail, especially of the jib, spanker, and other fore-and-aft sails.
verb
Definitions
(of a sail) To shake due to being trimmed improperly.
(of a boat) To alter course to windward so that the sails luff. (Alternatively luff up)
To let out (a sail) so that it luffs.
To alter the vertical angle of the jib of a crane so as to bring it level with the load.