Naut. Obs. Also 5–7 cap. [app. more or less directly, f. F. cap cape, also ‘the forepart of a ship, in relation to the direction which it is following, as “porter le cap au nord”’ (Littré).] intr. To head, keep a course, bear up; to drift. Said of sailors and of ship.
c. 1500. Dunbar, in Maitland, Poems, 133 (Jam.). That ye man cap be wind and waw.
1513. Douglas, Æneis, II. viii. 125. The port quham to we cappit was full large.
1535. Stewart, Cron. Scot., I. 124. Sum with ane torss la capand on the wynd.
1627. Capt. Smith, Seaman’s Gram., ix. 41. Experience to try her drift, or how she capes.
1730–6. Bailey, Cap … used of a ship, in the Trials of the running or setting of currents.
1867. Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., s.v., How does she cape? How does she lie her course?
Hence Caping vbl. sb.
1594. Davis, Seaman’s Secrets (1607), 40. The ship … may make her way 2 or 3 points from her caping.
