What is "luff tackle"

Luff \Luff\ (l[u^]f), n. [OE. lof, prob. a sort of timber by which the course of a ship was directed, perh. a sort of paddle; cf. D. loef luff, loeven to luff. The word is perh. akin to E. glove. Cf. Aloof.] (Naut.)

1. The side of a ship toward the wind.

2. The act of sailing a ship close to the wind.

3. The roundest part of a ship's bow.

4. The forward or weather leech of a sail, especially of the jib, spanker, and other fore-and-aft sails.

   Luff tackle, a purchase composed of a double and single block and fall, used for various purposes.
   --Totten.

   Luff upon luff, a luff tackle attached to the fall of another luff tackle.
   --R. H. Dana, Jr.

n. (context nautical English) A purchase composed of a double and single block and fall, used for various purposes.