the foremost sail of a ship, being a large staysail extended from the outer end of the bowsprit prolonged by the jib-boom, towards the fore-top mast head. See SAIL.

The jib is a sail of great command with any side-wind, but especially when the ship is close hauled, or has the wind upon her beam; and its effort in casting the ship, or turning her head to leeward, is very powerful and of great utility, particularly when the ship is working through a narrow channel.