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

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)

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

If it breezed up, and the jibtopsail was to be taken in, they never minded a wetting, and they would be out at the bowsprit end before there was a hand at the downhaul.

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

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

From The Cruise of the Dazzler by London, Jack

When the weather moderated, and we shook the reefs out, the downhaul was forgotten until we happened to think we might soon need it again.

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