society > travel > travel by water > other nautical operations > [verb (transitive)] > make firm or taut > by specific means (2)
transitive. To tighten or make fast by means of a rope or ropes drawn taut; e.g. the rigging or masts, the capstan-bars, or a boat or ship by…
Nautical. To stretch or take down (a sail) by putting the force of one's weight on it or on the rope holding it. Now chiefly historical.