verb
jib
To swing a fore-and-aft sail across the wind.
The sailor carefully jibs the mainsail as the boat turns.
Etymology
The Dutch sailing verb names the maneuver. English retains it for moving the fore-and-aft sail across as the boat turns through the wind.
More examples
- We jib the sail while keeping the boom under control.
- They jibbed the mainsail after rounding the buoy.
- Keep your head down while I'm jibbing the sail.
Forms
jib · jibs · jibbed · jibbing
Similar words
- jibe
- The more usual American spelling for this sailing maneuver.