·adv Behind; in the rear.
II. Aback ·noun An Abacus.
III. Aback ·adv Toward the back or rear; backward.
IV. Aback ·adv Backward against the mast;
— said of the sails when pressed by the wind.
The situation of a ship's sails when the wind bears against their front surfaces. They are laid abac...
The Sailor's Word-Book
To brace the yards in, so as to lay the sails aback. ♦ To brace about, to turn the yards round for...
When all the sails are blown with their after-surface against the mast, so as to give stern-way. ...
See aback. ...
This is said of a steam-engine if reversed, to propel the vessel astern. ...