noun
- the action of turning a sailing vessel toward the wind
Usage: nautical
verb
- turning a sailing vessel toward the wind so that the sails flap loosely
Usage: nautical
Examples
- The captain began luffing to slow the boat’s speed.
- By luffing slightly, we could spill wind from the mainsail.
- The crew practiced luffing maneuvers during sailing lessons.
- Proper luffing technique requires careful attention to wind direction.
- The boat’s luffing caused the sails to flutter noisily.
- Excessive luffing can cause the boat to lose forward momentum.