Loof \Loof\, n. [See Luff.]

[Also written luff.]

(Naut.)
   (a) Formerly, some appurtenance of a vessel which was used in changing her course; -- probably a large paddle put over the lee bow to help bring her head nearer to the wind.
   (b) The part of a ship's side where the planking begins to curve toward bow and stern.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Luff \Luff\, n. [OE. lof, prob. a sort of timber by which the course of a ship was directed, perh. a sort of paddle; cf. D. loef luff, loeven to luff. The word is perh. akin to E. glove. Cf. Aloof.]

(Naut.)
   (a) The side of a ship toward the wind.
   (b) The act of sailing a ship close to the wind.
   (c) The roundest part of a ship's bow.
   (d) The forward or weather leech of a sail, especially of the jib, spanker, and other fore-and-aft sails.

Luff tackle, a purchase composed of a double and single block and fall, used for various purposes. --Totten.

Luff upon luff, a luff tackle attached to the fall of another luff tackle. --R. H. Dana, Jr.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Luff \Luff\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Luffed; p. pr. & vb. n. Luffing.]

(Naut.) To turn the head of a vessel toward the wind; to sail nearer the wind; to turn the tiller so as to make the vessel sail nearer the wind.

To luff round, or To luff alee, to make the extreme of this movement, for the purpose of throwing the ship's head into the wind.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)