v. Naut. ? Obs. [See WEATHER sb. 3 and COIL v.4] intr. Of a ship (see quots.). Also Weather-coiling vbl. sb.
a. 1625. Manwayring, Sea-mans Dict. (1644), 115. Weather-coile is when a ship is a hull, to lay her head the other way, without looseing any saile; which is only done, by bearing up the helme. It is an excellent condition in a ship; for most ships will not weather-coile.
1626. Capt. J. Smith, Accid. Yng. Seamen, 29. Weather coyle. Ibid. (1627), Sea Gram., ix. 40. If shee will weather coile, and lay her head the other way without loosing a saile, that must bee done by bearing vp the Helme.
c. 1635. Capt. N. Boteler, Dial. Sea Services (1685), 222. The Weather-coiling of a Ship, is, when being a Hull [etc.].
1753. Chambers’ Cycl., Suppl., Weather-Quoil, or Coill.
1867. Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., Weather-coil, when a ship has her head brought about, so as to lie that way which her stern did before, as by the veering of the wind; or the motion of the helm, the sails remaining trimmed. Weather-coiling, a ship resuming her course after being taken aback; rounding off by a stern-board, and coming up to it again.
