HEAD-SAILS, a general name for all those sails which are extended on the foremast and bowsprit, and employed to command the fore part of the ship: such are the foresail, fore-top-sail, fore-top-gallant-sail, jib, fore-stay-sail, and the spritsail, with its topsail. This term is used in opposition to after-sails, viz. all those which are extended on the mizen-mast, and on the stays between the mizen and main-masts.
HEAD-TO-WIND; the situation of a ship or boat, when her head is turned to windward.