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• gaff topsail
  gaff topsail

  noun

  a jib-headed fore-and-aft sail set above a gaff.
• gaff-topsail
  gaff-topsail

  noun

  a sail set above a gaffsail

gaff topsail

American  

[gaf top-seyl, top-suhl] / ˈgæf ˈtɒpˌseɪl, ˈtɒpˌsəl /

noun

Nautical.

1. Also called fore-and-aft topsail.  a jib-headed fore-and-aft sail set above a gaff.

2. a quadrilateral fore-and-aft sail set above the spanker of a bark, between the gaff of the spanker and an upper gaff.

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gaff-topsail British  

noun

1. a sail set above a gaffsail

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Etymology

Origin of gaff topsail

First recorded in 1785–95

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

gaff topsail gaff-topsail

The cutter at the time was reefed, but when she saw the lugger's topsail going up she shook out her reefs and set her gaff topsail.

From King's Cutters and Smugglers 1700-1855 by Chatterton, E. Keble (Edward Keble)

Used aboard yachts for bending on the gaff topsail halliards.

From Boy Scouts Handbook The First Edition, 1911 by Boy Scouts of America

The jib, mainsail, and gaff topsail are hauled up to their very tautest; finally, the cable is slipped, and then old Sandy for the first time looks around.

From Lippincott's Magazine, October 1885 by Various

The moment the boat left the side Brabant set the gaff topsail and square-sail, and headed the Loelia towards the north end of the island.

From The Trader's Wife 1901 by Becke, Louis

She was rigged with a mainsail, a mizen, and a foresail, to which they added a sliding bowsprit, so that a jib could be set in light winds, with a flying gaff topsail.

From The Three Admirals by Wells, J.R.

"Blow, sweet breeze," said D——, half to himself, half aloud; and casting his eyes, alternately from the flying jib and foresail to the swelling gaff-topsail, stooped down and looked under the boom at the land.

From A Yacht Voyage to Norway, Denmark, and Sweden 2nd edition by Ross, William A.

It is true, there was the old gaff-topsail still in the fore-peak, as well as a spare jib; but they had nothing to spread them out to the wind with, or affix them to.

From Bob Strong's Holidays Adrift in the Channel by Greene, John B.

But she was provided with an abundance of "kites," including an immense gaff-topsail, which extended on poles far above the topmast head, and far beyond the peak, a balloon-jib, a jib-topsail, and a three-cornered studding-sail.

From The Yacht Club or The Young Boat-Builder by Optic, Oliver

The spar held on for a minute, but a stronger puff of wind filling the sail, with a loud crash it gave way, and down came the gaff-topsail and square-topsail.

From The Rival Crusoes by Kingston, William Henry Giles

Each yacht carried her large gaff-topsail and the balloon-jib.

From The Yacht Club or The Young Boat-Builder by Optic, Oliver