Defn: To reduce the extent of (as a sail) by roiling or folding a certain portion of it and making it fast to the yard or spar. Totten. To reef the paddles, to move the floats of a paddle wheel toward its center so that they will not dip so deeply.
REEF-BAND
Reef"-band` (rf"bnd`), n. (Naut.)
Defn: A piece of canvas sewed across a sail to strengthen it in the part where the eyelet holes for reefing are made. Totten.
REEFER
Reef"er (-r), n.
1. (Naut.)
Defn: One who reefs; — a name often given to midshipmen. Marryat.
2. A close-fitting lacket or short coat of thick cloth.
REEFING
Reef"ing, n. (Naut.)
Defn: The process of taking in a reef. Reefing bowsprit, a bowsprit so rigged that it can easily be run in or shortened by sliding inboard, as in cutters.
REEFY
Reef"y (-), a.