1. A barbed spear or a hook with a handle, used by fishermen in securing heavy fish.
2. (Naut.)
Defn: The spar upon which the upper edge of a fore-and-aft sail is extended.
3. Same as Gaffle, 1. Wright.
GAFF
Gaff, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Gaffed; p. pr. & vb. n. Gaffing.]
Defn: To strike with a gaff or barbed spear; to secure by means of a gaff; as, to gaff a salmon.
GAFFER Gaf"fer, n. Etym: [Possibly contr. fr. godfather; but prob. fr. gramfer for grandfather. Cf. Gammer.]
1. An old fellow; an aged rustic. Go to each gaffer and each goody. Fawkes.
Note: Gaffer was originally a respectful title, now degenerated into a term of familiarity or contempt when addressed to an aged man in humble life.
2. A foreman or overseer of a gang of laborers. [Prov. Eng.]