luffer

Noun

luffer (plural luffers)

1. A type of crane or derrick that was historically used in shipbuilding and repair.
   • Four of the hydraulic cranes are luffer cranes, one has a radius of 70 feet, two of 60 feet, and one of 46 feet, and these luffer cranes are of the greatest possible value, as it allows of the simultaneous discharge of the ship on the shore.1903, Great Britain. Parliament. House of Commons, Sessional Papers - Volume 8, page 100
   • The Scotch luffer, or, more properly, the Scotchman, is, we were told, a great derrick whose introduction has thrown many men out of employment.1912, The Painter and Decorator - Volume 26, page 327
2. (yacht racing) One who luffs (sails close to the wind) in order to threaten a windward opponent.
   • So even if the luffer to leeward does react quickly enough in the stopping of his boat, he'll also have to start going bacckwards to prevent you breaking away and going for the mark ahead of him.1975, Yacht Racing - Volume 14, page 38
   • The obsessive luffer seems to want a threat to windward for the sheer pleasure of upholding the right to luff, even though a luff almost always costs more places than it saves.2013, Eric Twiname, Start to Win, page 107