See Also: spritsail(dictionary)

spritsail (iou)



spritsail noun. LME.
[from SPRIT noun1 + SAIL noun1. Cf. Dutch sprietzeil, West Frisian -seil.]
Nautical.
A sail extended by a sprit; Hist. a sail attached to a yard slung under the bowsprit of a large vessel. LME.
ellipt. A ship or barge fitted with a spritsail. L19.
Comb.: spritsail yard a yard slung under the bowsprit to support a spritsail; spritsail-yard verb trans. (slang) disable (a shark, dogfish, etc.) by thrusting a spar or piece of wood through the snout or gills.