Luff

n.	1.	(Naut.) The side of a ship toward the wind. Luff tackle a purchase composed of a double and single block and fall, used for various purposes. Luff upon luff a luff tackle attached to the fall of another luff tackle. - Totten.
v. i.	1.	(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. [imp. & p. p. Luffed (lŭft); p. pr. & vb. n. Luffing.]
	2.	(Naut.) To flutter or shake from being aligned close to the direction of the wind; - said of a sail. To luff round to make the extreme of this movement, for the purpose of throwing the ship's head into the wind.

Noun	1.	luff - sailing close to the wind
Verb	1.	luff - sail close to the wind Synonyms: point
	2.	luff - flap when the wind is blowing equally on both sides; "the sails luffed"

navigation, pilotage, piloting, point, sail