spinnaker

spin·na·ker  (spn-kr)

n.

A large triangular sail set on a spar that swings out opposite the mainsail, used on yachts when running before the wind.

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[Perhaps ultimately from Sphinx, name of the first yacht to use such a sail, or spin, to move rapidly (variant of Scots spene, to run before the wind; see spindrift).]

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spinnaker

Noun

a large triangular sail on a racing yacht [probably from spin, but traditionally from Sphinx, the yacht that first used this type of sail]

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

spinnaker - a large and usually triangular headsail; carried by a yacht as a headsail when running before the wind headsail - any sail set forward of the foremast of a vessel