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spinnaker - 4 dictionary results

spin⋅na⋅ker

[spin-uh-ker]
–noun Nautical.
a large, usually triangular sail carried by a yacht as a headsail when running before the wind or when the wind is abaft the beam.

Origin:
1865–70; said to be alter. of Sphinx, name of the first yacht making regular use of this sail
spin·na·ker   (spĭn'ə-kər)   
n.  A large triangular sail set on a spar that swings out opposite the mainsail, used on yachts when running before the wind.

[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).]

Spinnaker

Spin"na*ker\, n. (Naut.) A large triangular sail set upon a boom, -- used when running before the wind.

spinnaker 
"large triangular sail," 1866, either a derivative of spin in the sense of "go rapidly" or a corrupt pronunciation of Sphinx, which was the name of the first yacht known to carry this type of sail.
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