backwind

[ bak-wind ]

verb (used with object)

, Nautical.

, back·wind·ed, back·wind·ing.

1. to divert wind against the lee side of (a sail) from another sail.
2. to set (a sail) so that the wind is on what would ordinarily be the lee side, as for turning the bow of a boat away from the wind.
3. to blanket (another sailing vessel) by spilling wind from the sails of one vessel onto the lee side of the sails of the other.

Word History and Origins

Origin of backwind¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; back ² + wind ¹