1. A nautical maneuver in which a sailing ship is turned around by putting the helm hard alee, backing the sails, and swinging the bow through the wind.
Usage: nautical; also called 'box haul'

1. To execute a boxhaul maneuver; to turn a sailing ship around using the boxhaul technique.
Usage: nautical; present participle of 'box haul'

Examples

• The captain ordered the crew to begin boxhauling when the wind shifted unexpectedly.
• Boxhauling was a critical skill for sailors navigating narrow channels in the age of sail.
• The ship was boxhauling to avoid the rocky shore.
• In heavy seas, boxhauling required precise coordination among the crew members.
• The sailors practiced boxhauling repeatedly to master the difficult maneuver.