balloon sail

noun

, Nautical.

1. any light, loose sail, as a jib or spinnaker, used by a yacht in light wind.

balloon sail

noun

1. nautical a large light bellying sail used in light winds Compare spinnaker

Word History and Origins

Origin of balloon sail¹

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Baby jib top-sails had been sent down before the rounding, and spinnaker poles were now ready for the balloon sail.

From Project Gutenberg