Luff (?), n. [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.] 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 tackle, a purchase composed of a double and single block and fall, used for various purposes. Totten. -- Luff upon luff, a luff tackle attached to the fall of another luff tackle. R. H. Dana, Jr.
© Webster 1913.
Luff (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Luffed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Luffing.] 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.
To luff round, ∨ To luff alee, to make the extreme of this movement, for the purpose of throwing the ship's head into the wind.
© Webster 1913.