Naut. [perh. a use of BROACH v.1, in sense of ‘turn’ (as on a spit).]

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  1.  intr. in phrase, To broach to (said of the ship): to veer suddenly so as to turn the side to windward, or to meet the sea.

2

1705.  Dampier, Voy., II. iii. 6. If the Ship … should prove unruly, as … by her broaching to against all endeavours, which often happens, when a fierce gust comes.

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1762–9.  Falconer, Shipwr., II. 639. If broaching sideway to the sea, Our dropsied ship may founder by the lee.

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1800.  A. Duncan, Mariner’s Chron. (1804), II. 77. She lost her steerage way, broached-to, and upset, the sea rolling over and over.

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1829.  Marryat, F. Mildmay, v. The vessel … broached to, that is, came with her broadside to the wind and sea.

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1840.  R. H. Dana, Bef. Mast, xxxii. 126. They hove the wheel up just in time to save her from broaching to.

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  2.  trans. To cause (the ship) to veer or swerve to windward, to bring with her broadside to the wind and sea.

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1762–9.  Falconer, Shipwr., II. 376. Broach the vessel to the westward round.

9

1875.  Bedford, Sailor’s Pocket-bk., vi. 229. It too often happens that some of the men catch crabs with their oars, and broach the boat to.

10

  Hence Broaching-to vbl. sb.

11

1762–9.  Falconer, Shipwr., III. (1819), 98. They dread her broaching-to.

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1875.  Bedford, Sailor’s Pocket-bk., vi. 218. The one great danger, when running before a broken sea, is that of broaching-to.

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