What is "to ease a ship"

Ease \Ease\ ([=e]z), v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Eased ([=e]zd); p. pr. & vb. n. Easing.] [OE. esen, eisen, OF. aisier. See Ease, n.]

1. To free from anything that pains, disquiets, or oppresses; to relieve from toil or care; to give rest, repose, or tranquillity to; -- often with of; as, to ease of pain; to ease the body or mind.

   Eased [from] the putting off These troublesome disguises which we wear.
   --Milton.

   Sing, and I 'll ease thy shoulders of thy load.
   --Dryden.

2. To render less painful or oppressive; to mitigate; to alleviate.

   My couch shall ease my complaint.
   --Job vii. 1

3. 3. To release from pressure or restraint; to move gently; to lift slightly; to shift a little; as, to ease a bar or nut in machinery.

4. To entertain; to furnish with accommodations. [Obs.]
   --Chaucer.

   To ease off, To ease away (Naut.), to slacken a rope gradually.

   To ease a ship (Naut.), to put the helm hard, or regulate the sail, to prevent pitching when closehauled.

   To ease the helm (Naut.), to put the helm more nearly amidships, to lessen the effect on the ship, or the strain on the wheel rope.
   --Ham. Nav. Encyc.

   Syn: To relieve; disburden; quiet; calm; tranquilize; assuage; alleviate; allay; mitigate; appease; pacify.