riding sail

American  

noun

Nautical.

1. a triangular sail set on the aftermost mast of a vessel, especially a fishing vessel, to head it into the wind; trysail.

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Example Sentences

Under headsails and riding sail the Rosan swung into the light air that stirred the fog and began to crawl forward while the men were still cat-heading the anchor.

From The Harbor of Doubt by Gage, George W.

The big sails were lowered and only a riding sail spread to keep the Hattie G. on an even keel.

From The Corner House Girls Under Canvas How they reached Pleasant Cove and what happened afterward by Hill, Grace Brooks

In the midst of all this Code Schofield struggled aft and began hauling forth the mains’l that at the first edge of the Bank had been relegated in favor of the triangular riding sail.

From The Harbor of Doubt by Gage, George W.

They could just manage to steer her under the riding sail.

From Swept Out to Sea Clint Webb Among the Whalers by Foster, W. Bertram