LUFF, the order from the pilot to the steersman to put the helm towards the lee-side of the ship, in order to make the ship sail nearer the direction of the wind. Hence, luff round, or luff a-lee, is the excess of this movement, by which it is intended to throw the ship's head up in the wind, in order to tack her, &c. A ship is accordingly said to spring her luff when she yields to the effort of the helm, by sailing nearer to the line of the wind than she had done before. See also HAULING the Wind.