downhaul

American  

[doun-hawl] / ˈdaʊnˌhɔl /

noun

Nautical.

1. any of various lines for pulling down a sail or a yard, as for securing in a lowered position when not in use.

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downhaul British  

/ ˈdaʊnˌhɔːl /

noun

1. nautical a line for hauling down a sail or for increasing the tension at its luff

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Etymology

Origin of downhaul

First recorded in 1660–70; down ¹ + haul

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

downhaul

"Let go the jib-halyards and come in on the downhaul!"

From The Cruise of the Dazzler by London, Jack

Her yard and boom were in his linhay, the sheet and downhaul in Tony's.

From A Poor Man's House by Reynolds, Stephen Sydney

I was near the mate, but sprang past several, threw the downhaul over the windlass, and jumped between the knight-heads out upon the bowsprit.

From Two Years Before the Mast by Dana, Richard Henry

This did not matter, because he knew they must secure the sail before the tornado broke, and he pulled at the downhaul.

From Wyndham's Pal by Bindloss, Harold

I remember one day in a reefing job, the downhaul parted and came down on deck from the peak of the spanker.

From Man Overboard! by Crawford, F. Marion (Francis Marion)