luff verb. [lʌf] LME.
[from LUFF noun¹, perh. through Dutch loeven.]
1. verb intrans. Bring the head of a ship nearer to the wind; steer or sail nearer the wind. Also foll. by in, off, up, etc. LME.

2. verb trans. Bring the head of (a ship) nearer to the wind; turn (the helm) to achieve this. E17.

3. verb trans. Sailing. Obstruct (another craft passing windward) by sailing closer to the wind. L19.

4. verb trans. Alter the inclination of (the jib of a crane or derrick); raise by moving (the jib) in; lower by moving (the jib) out. E20.
luffing crane a crane whose jib can be luffed in operation.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲

luff noun¹. [lʌf] ME.
[Old French lof, prob. from Low German or Dutch.]
Nautical.
1. A device for altering the course of a ship, as a spar operating on a sail etc. ME-L15.

2. The part or side of a ship facing the wind. LME-E17.

3. The edge of a fore-and-aft sail next to the mast or stay. E16.

4. The broadest part of a ship's bow, where the sides begin to curve in towards the stem. E17.

5. In full luff-tackle. A purchase composed of a double and a single block. M17.
Phrases: spring a luff, spring one's luff bring the ship's head closer to the wind.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲

luff noun². [lʌf] colloq. E19.
[Repr. a pronunc. of the 1st syll.]
= LIEUTENANT.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲