Naut. [var. FANG sb. 7 a.] One or other of the two ropes used for steadying the gaff of a fore-and-aft sail.
1769. Falconer, Dict. Mar., s.v. Brace, The mizen-yard is furnished with fangs, or vangs, in the room of braces. Ibid., Vangs, a sort of braces to support the mizen gaff, and keep it steady.
1834. M. Scott, Cruise Midge (1859), 486. The gaff is violently shaken by the loosened sail; for both vangs and brails are gone.
1851. Voy. to Mauritius, i. 35. The orderly officer, seated on the bulwark, and holding on by a vang.
1881. Clark Russell, Ocean Free-Lance, III. ii. 65. He stood upon the rail … with his arm round the vang.
