luff

/ləf/

Other forms: luffed; luffing; luffs

Definitions of luff

1. noun

   the act of sailing close to the wind
   type of:

   sailing

   riding in a sailboat
2. noun

   (nautical) the forward edge of a fore-and-aft sail that is next to the mast
   type of:

   edge

   the outside limit of an object or area or surface; a place farthest away from the center of something
3. verb

   sail close to the wind
   synonyms: point

   type of:

   sail

   travel on water propelled by wind
4. verb

   flap when the wind is blowing equally on both sides
   “the sails luffed”

   type of:

   flap, roll, undulate, wave

   move in a wavy pattern or with a rising and falling motion