luff

The act of sailing closer into the wind.

The forward edge of a fore-and-aft sail.

The fullest part of the bow of a ship.

To steer a sailing vessel closer into the wind, especially with the sails flapping.

To flap while losing wind. Used of a sail.

To sail (a vessel, such as a yacht) closer into the wind during a race so as to prevent an opponent’s craft from passing on the windward side.

To raise or lower (the boom of a crane or derrick).

Naut., to bring the head of (a vessel) nearer to the wind.

To steer or come nearer to the wind.