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trysail

noun

: a fore-and-aft sail bent to a gaff and hoisted on a lower mast or a small mast close abaft

Word History

Etymology

obsolete at try lying to

First Known Use

1769, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of trysail was in 1769

Cite this Entry

“Trysail.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trysail. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025.

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