society > travel > travel by water > directing or managing a ship > direct or manage ship [verb (transitive)] > set a ship's course > leave in the rear
to drop astern1867
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. BelcherSailor's Word-bk.Drop astern, to..distancing a competitor.
1887 Daily Tel. 10 Sept. 2/5 A couple of..catboats..were dropped astern at a great rate.