spinnaker

plural spinnakers

1. nauticalA sail supplemental to the mainsail, especially a triangular one, used on yachts for running before the wind.

   Synonyms: spinney

present singular third person spinnakers · participle present spinnakering · participle past spinnakered · past spinnakered

1. nauticalTo sail using a spinnaker

   We spinnakered out into the Atlantic and, fortunately, the wind died as night fell.

   2010, Pete Goss, Close to the Wind

   1 more example

   On the port tack layline , you're defenseless against starboard tackers — you have to dip them , no matter how much you may lose doing it — and the wind shadow of boats spinnakering away from the mark can cost you plenty.

   1995, Tom Linskey, Race Winning Strategies