: having the sails set for sailing as nearly against the wind as the vessel will go

Word History

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of close-hauled was in 1769

Dictionary Entries Near close-hauled

Cite this Entry

“Close-hauled.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/close-hauled. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!