ppl. a. Naut. [see HAUL.] With the sail-tacks hauled close, so as to be able to sail as near the wind as possible.
1769. Falconer, Dict. Marine (1789), M ij. The ship is … close-hauled, because … her tacks, or lower corners of the principal sails, are drawn close down to her side to windward.
1806. Moore, Steersman’s Song, ii. When by the wind close-hauled we go.
fig. 1883. Stevenson, Treasure Isl., IV. xviii. 145. I should say we were pretty close hauled.
