Main Entry: drogue

Pronunciation: \ˈdrōg\

Function: noun

Etymology: probably alteration of ¹drag

Date: 1875

1 : sea anchor
2 a : a cylindrical or funnel-shaped device towed as a target by an airplane b : a small parachute for stabilizing or decelerating something (as an astronaut's capsule) or for pulling a larger parachute out of stowage
3 : a funnel-shaped device which is attached to the end of a long flexible hose suspended from a tanker airplane in flight and into which the probe of another airplane is fitted so as to receive fuel from the tanker