luff

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luff †contrivance for altering a ship's course XIII (often in phr. wend or turn the luff); †weather side of a ship XIV; side of a sail next to the mast XVI; broadest part of a ship's bow XVII. — OF. lof, prob. of LG. or Du. orig.
Hence luff vb. bring nearer to the wind. XIV (love). perh. immed. — Du. loeven.

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