The Collaborative International Dictionary
To luff round
Luff \Luff\ (l[u^]f), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Luffed (l[u^]ft); p. pr. & vb. n. Luffing.]
(Naut.) To turn the head of a vessel toward the wind; to sail nearer the wind; to turn the tiller so as to make the vessel sail nearer the wind.
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(Naut.) To flutter or shake from being aligned close to the direction of the wind; -- said of a sail.
To luff round, or To luff alee, to make the extreme of this movement, for the purpose of throwing the ship's head into the wind.