gaff Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a sharp metal spike or spur that is fastened to the leg of a gamecock
  2. noun a spar rising aft from a mast to support the head of a quadrilateral fore-and-aft sail
  3. noun an iron hook with a handle; used for landing large fish

WordNet

Gaff noun
Etymology
OE. gaffe, F. gaffe an iron hook with which seamen pull great fishes into their ships; cf. Ir. gaf, gafa hook; perh. akin to G. gabel fork, Skr. gabhasti. CF. Gaffle, Gable.
Definitions
  1. A barbed spear or a hook with a handle, used by fishermen in securing heavy fish.
  2. (Naut.) The spar upon which the upper edge of a fore-and-aft sail is extended.
  3. Same as Gaffle, 1. Wright.
Gaff transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Gaffed ; present participle & verbal noun Gaffing
Definitions
  1. To strike with a gaff or barbed spear; to secure by means of a gaff; as, to gaff a salmon.

Webster 1913