Naut. [f. FORE- pref. + TOPSAIL.] The sail above the foresail; also attrib., an fore-topsail yard.
1582. N. Lichefield, trans. Castanheda’s Conq. E. Ind., xxviii. 71 a. In trimming the sayles, and others the nettings and foretop sayles.
1617. Capt. Smith, Seaman’s Gram., iv. 17. The fore top-saile yard.
1790. Beatson, Nav. & Mil. Mem., II. 62. As that hung on her fore-top-sail and backed it, he had no command of his ship, his fore-tack and all his braces being cut at the same time.
1833. M. Scott, Tom Cringle, ii. (1859), 64. The damaged ship was at this time on our weather-quarter; we accordingly handed the fore-topsail, and presently she was alongside.
