What is "near the wind"

Near \Near\ (n[=e]r), adv. [AS. ne['a]r, compar. of ne['a]h nigh. See Nigh.]

1. At a little distance, in place, time, manner, or degree; not remote; nigh.

   My wife! my traitress! let her not come near me.
   --Milton.

2. Nearly; almost; well-nigh. ``Near twenty years ago.''
   --Shak. ``Near a fortnight ago.''
   --Addison.

   Near about the yearly value of the land.
   --Locke.

3. Closely; intimately.
   --Shak.

   Far and near, at a distance and close by; throughout a whole region.

   To come near to, to want but little of; to approximate to. ``Such a sum he found would go near to ruin him.''
   --Addison.

   Near the wind (Naut.), close to the wind; closehauled.