A rope leading from the end of the gaff to the rail, one on each side, so that the two form guys attached to the outer ends of the gaffs to steady them, and when the sails are not set keep them amidships.
·noun A rope to steady the peak of a gaff. ...
Webster's Dictionary of the English Language
to take or receive j from FANGEN, German. Exm. To vang, to stand sponsor for a child. Exm. ...
A glossary of provincial and local words used in England by Francis Grose