WOOF. A northern name of the gray gurnard.
WOOLDERS. Bandages. The bolt of a Spanish windlass is called a woolder.
WOOLDING. The act of winding a piece of rope about a mast or yard, to support it where it is fished, or when it is composed of several pieces. Also, the rope employed in this service.
WOOL-PACKS. In meteorology, light clouds in a blue sky.
WORD. The watch-word; the parole and countersign, which, being issued to the authorized persons at guard-mounting, become a test whereby spies or strangers are detected.
WORK, To. Said of a ship when she strains in a tempestuous sea, so as to loosen her joints.
WORK ABACK. This is said of a steam-engine if reversed, to propel the vessel astern.
WORK A SHIP, To. To adapt the sails to the force and direction of the wind.
WORK DOUBLE-TIDES, To. Implying that the work of three days is done in two, or at least two tides' work in twenty-four hours.
WORKING A DAY'S WORK. Reducing the dead-reckoning and meridian altitudes to noon of each day.