Luff /(lŭf)/

Luff

n.
  1. The side of a ship toward the wind. (Naut.)

Phrases & Compounds
Luff tackle
a purchase composed of a double and single block and fall, used for various purposes.
Luff upon luff
a luff tackle attached to the fall of another luff tackle.

Luff

v. i.

imp. & p. p. Luffed; p. pr. & vb. n. Luffing

  1. To turn the head of a vessel toward the wind; to sail nearer the wind; to turn the tiller so as to make the vessel sail nearer the wind. (Naut.)
  2. To flutter or shake from being aligned close to the direction of the wind; -- said of a sail. (Naut.)

Phrases & Compounds
To luff round
to make the extreme of this movement, for the purpose of throwing the ship's head into the wind.