close the wind, to

The Sailor's Word-Book

To haul to it.


♦ Close upon a tack or bowline, or close by a wind, is when the wind is on either bow, and the tacks or bowlines are hauled forwards that they may take the wind to make the best of their way.

♦ Close to the wind, when her head is just so near the wind as to fill the sails without shaking them.

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