1. to remove or break off the mast or masts of a ship
Usage: nautical; transitive verb

Examples

• The storm demasted the sailing vessel, leaving it unable to navigate.
• A collision with the reef demasted three ships in the harbor.
• The captain feared the strong winds would demast his boat.
• Enemy cannons demasted the merchant ship during the battle.
• The damaged mast was demasted and replaced with a new one.