forestaysail

[ fawr-stey-seyl, fohr-; Nautical fawr-stey-suhl, fohr- ]

noun

1. a triangular sail set on a forestay; the innermost headsail of a vessel.

forestaysail

/ fɔːˈsteɪsəl; fɔːˈsteɪˌseɪl /

noun

1. nautical the triangular headsail set aftermost on a vessel

Word History and Origins

Origin of forestaysail¹

First recorded in 1735–45; forestay + sail

Example Sentences

It carried two jibs, besides the forestaysail, but these were now furled.

From Project Gutenberg

I sailed comfortably on under the jib and forestaysail, which I now set.

From Project Gutenberg

In old times the boats simply carried mainsail, foresail, and forestaysail and jib.

From Project Gutenberg

She was running now with a reefed forestaysail, the sheets flat amidship.

From Project Gutenberg

On this they spread a spare forestaysail which they dug from the sail locker.

From Project Gutenberg