[app. a weakened form of COND used in same sense. (Some think it has been associated with CON, v.1 As a possible connection, the following has been cited:
1393. Gower, Conf., I. 59. They conne nought here shippes stere, i.e., They know not how to steer their ships.)]
trans. To direct the steering of (a ship) from some commanding position on shipboard.
1626. Capt. Smith, Accid. Yng. Seamen, 28. Cun the ship spoune before the winde. Ibid. (1627), Seaman’s Gram., ix. 41. He that doth cun the ship cannot haue too much iudgement.
1657. R. Ligon, Barbadoes (1673), 120. The Quarter Master that Conns the Ship above.
1671. Lond. Gaz., No. 580/2. The Officer that cund the ship.
1721–1800. Bailey, s.v., To Cun a Ship, is to direct the Person at Helm how to steer her.
1829. Blackw. Mag., XXVI. 730. Shoals, through which the ’Mudian pilot cunned the ship with great skill.
1853. Kane, Grinnell Exp., xxiii. 185. Our captain, who was conning the ship from the fore-top-sail yard.
1867. Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., Conn, Con, or Cun, as pronounced by seamen.
1883. Stevenson, Treasure Isl., III. xiii. (1886), 104. Long John stood by the steersman and conned the ship.
b. absol. To give sailing directions to the steersman.
1699. Dampier, Voy., II. 64. The ship by the mistake of him that con’d, broched too.
1751. Smollett, Per. Pic., Wks. 1797, III. 11. You did not steer; but howsomever, you cunned [ed. 1779 canned] all the way.
c. fig.
1648. Earl Westmoreland, Otia Sacra (1879), 163. He onely happy is, and wise, Can Cun his Barque when Tempests rise.
1870. Lowell, Among my Bks., Ser. I. (1873), 129. Do we not sometimes con our voyage by … the firm headlands of truth.
Hence Conning, Cunning vbl. sb.
1626. Capt. Smith, Accid. Yng. Seamen, 1. The Maister is to see to the cunning [of] the Ship.
1853. Kane, Grinnell Exp., xi. (1856), 78. Now commences the process of ‘conning.’
