Definition of "reefing" [reef•ing]

• The process of reefing (taking in a sail); an act of reefing; also used of clothing. (noun)
• A reef (seam of quartz). (noun)
• Present participle of reef. (verb)

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• "What we call the reefing clew is an eye, called a reefing grommet, set into the leech of the sail."
• "A line called the reefing line is led through the grommet, down to the boom, and forward to a cleat on larger boats, there’s a winch to help tighten the line."
• ""But the Navy has told us that 'reefing' is better because it would allow divers to go down on it and would preserve"