luff

LUFF, v.i. To turn the head of a ship towards the wind; to sail nearer the wind. Hence, in the imperative, luff, is an order to put the tiller on the lee-side, in order to make the ship sail nearer the wind. Luff round, or luff a-lee, is the extreme of this movement, intended to throw the ship's head into the wind. A ship is said to spring her luff, when she yields to the helm by sailing nearer the wind.