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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 sharp crack of a shot from the six-pounder was the reply, and simultaneously, holes appeared in the gaff topsail and the main topgallant staysail.

From The Boy With the U. S. Life-Savers by Rolt-Wheeler, Francis

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.

The mainsail was cast loose, jib and staysail ready, and the gaff topsail would not take many minutes to run up in its place.

From In the King's Name The Cruise of the "Kestrel" by Fenn, George Manville

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 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

“Heave to, while I come aboard, then; for you’ve got some green hands among you, I’m pretty sure, by the way your gaff-topsail stands.”

From Peter the Whaler by Austin, Henry

Then I needed to think of my own safety and passed a turn of the mizzen gaff-topsail downhaul about me, belaying to a pin as the cataclysm hit us.

From The Grain Ship by Robertson, Morgan

The main gaff-topsail was next set, and the Josephine was then under full sail.

From Down the Rhine Young America in Germany by Optic, Oliver

Two partly seen figures were busy bending on a gaff-topsail about the foot of her foremast, and Wheelock turned as one of them came slouching aft when the sail had been sent aloft.

From Thrice Armed by Bindloss, Harold

We did so, accordingly, rounding to under her stern, and ranging up alongside on her lee quarter; having first, however, taken in our gaff-topsail and lowered our topmast, so as not to foul her rigging.

From The Secret of the Sands The "Water Lily" and her Crew by Collingwood, Harry