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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

"Has this sail been kept on the yacht all night?" said I, looking up at the wide spread of mainsail and gaff topsail.

From A Marriage at Sea by Russell, W. Clark (William Clark)

"Maybe," said the mate, "she will soon have too much breeze; that gaff topsail is foolish in a boat with no deck and no sailor on board."

From Stories of Authors, British and American by Chubb, Edwin Watts

The big gaff topsail was next hauled down and carefully stowed away, and finally the mainsail was lowered, stowed, and the coat put over it.

From Dick Leslie's Luck A Story of Shipwreck and Adventure by Piffard, Harold

A belt of smoky red spread swiftly along the horizon, he heard the high gaff topsail flap, booms rattled and then the yacht got quiet.

From Wyndham's Pal by Bindloss, Harold

The wind was light, and we spread more canvas than she did, having royals and sky-sails fore and aft, and ten studding-sails; while she, being an hermaphrodite brig, had only a gaff topsail, aft.

From Two Years Before the Mast by Dana, Richard Henry