gather way

present singular third person gathers way · participle present gathering way · participle past gathered way · past gathered way

1. datedidiomaticnauticalTo begin to move
2. datedidiomaticnauticalto move with increasing speed

   The ship tacked with the same admirable precision as before, and on gathering way was found to be looking well up for the entrance to the narrow channel.

   1889, Harry Collingwood, The Missing Merchantman

   1 more example

   The boat beginning to gather way, too, I threw Sennit the end of a lower-studding-sail halyards, that were brought aft for the purpose, ordered his bowman to let go his hold of the tackle, and dropped the boat a safe towing distance astern

   1844, James Fenimore Cooper, Afloat and Ashore

3. datedidiomaticnauticalto get headway by sail or steam so as to answer the helm.