Any distance behind a vessel; in the after-part of the ship; in the direction of the stern, and therefore the opposite of ahead.
♦ To drop astern, is to be left behind, when abaft a right angle to the keel at the main-mast, she drops astern.
·adv Behind a ship; in the rear. II. Astern ·adv In or at the hinder part of a ship; toward the hin...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
Causing a ship to recede or go backwards, by heaving on a cable or other rope fastened to some fixed...
The Sailor's Word-Book
To slacken a ship's way, so as to suffer another one to pass beyond her. Also, distancing a competit...
To lessen a ship's way so as to allow another to get ahead of her. To be driven backwards. ...