Nautical. The action of scant, v.; the drawing ahead (of wind). Obsolete.

The action or fact of changing course or direction. Of the wind (or a vane), or in general use.

Motion in a backward direction, esp. of the wind in a direction opposed to the sun's. backing and filling (see back, v. 16b). U.S.

Nautical. The fact of a wind blowing from the west, or shifting in this direction; the extent to which a wind contains a westerly component.