Luff (?), n. [OE. lof, prob. a sort of timber by which the course of a ship was directed, perh. a sort of paddle; cf. D. loef luff, loeven to luff. The word is perh. akin to E. glove. Cf. Aloof.] (Naut.) (a) The side of a ship toward the wind. (b) The act of sailing a ship close to the wind. (c) The roundest part of a ship's bow. (d) The forward or weather leech of a sail, especially of the jib, spanker, and other fore-and-aft sails.
Luff tackle, a purchase composed of a double and single block and fall, used for various purposes. Totten. — Luff upon luff, a luff tackle attached to the fall of another luff tackle. R. H. Dana, Jr.