luff Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (nautical) the forward edge of a fore-and-aft sail that is next to the mast
  2. noun the act of sailing close to the wind
  3. verb sail close to the wind
    point.
  4. verb flap when the wind is blowing equally on both sides
    • the sails luffed

WordNet

Luff noun
Etymology
OE. lof, prob. a sort of timber by which the course of a ship was directed, perh. a sort of paddle; cf. D. loef luff, loeven to luff. The word is perh. akin to E. glove. Cf. Aloof.
Definitions
  1. (Naut.) (a) The side of a ship toward the wind. (b) The act of sailing a ship close to the wind. (c) The roundest part of a ship's bow. (d) The forward or weather leech of a sail, especially of the jib, spanker, and other fore-and-aft sails.
Luff intransitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Luffed ; present participle & verbal noun Luffing
Definitions
  1. (Naut.) To turn the head of a vessel toward the wind; to sail nearer the wind; to turn the tiller so as to make the vessel sail nearer the wind.

Webster 1913