Loofing
/ˈluːfɪŋ/noun
The act of steering a sailing vessel toward the wind or toward the windward side.
Did you know?The word “aloof” likely began as the nautical phrase “a loof,” meaning toward the windward side, before becoming a metaphor for emotional distance.
Etymological Timeline
Middle Dutch
Middle Dutch
loef
“The windward side of a ship; the side facing the wind.”
16th–17th Century
Dutch
loef
“The windward side or direction in sailing terminology.”
Early 17th Century
English
loof
“The windward side of a vessel; a nautical term.”
17th Century
English
loof
“To steer a ship toward the wind, a variant of “luff.””
17th–18th Century
English
aloof
“Originally “a loof,” toward the windward side; later, apart or at a distance.”
Modern English
English
loofing
“Steering or maneuvering a sailing vessel toward the wind.”