? Some implement or contrivance for altering the course of a ship. Phrases, to turn, wend the luff (= Anglo-Latin obliquare dracenam), to change…

Nautical in various expressions referring to the direction or position of the wind in relation to the ship: hence also allusively.

intransitive. Nautical. To set on the opposite tack. Cf. to put about 1b at put, v. phrasal verbs 1.

Nautical. Of a ship: To change course; spec. to turn round with the head away from the wind in order to sail on another tack.