a line for hauling down a sail or for increasing the tension at its luff
downhaul in American English
(ˈdaʊnˌhɔl)
noun
a rope, wire, or tackle for hauling something down, as a sail
downhaul in American English
(ˈdaunˌhɔl)
noun
Nautical
any of various lines for pulling down a sail or a yard, as for securing in a lowered position when not in use
Word origin
[1660–70; down1 + haul]This word is first recorded in the period 1660–70. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: aspirate, interleave, joke, mainstream, vocalize